Although meningitis itself is not communicable, microorganisms (e.g., viruses, bacteria, fungi) that cause infections that may lead to meningitis may be spread through:

• Personal contact (e.g., touching, kissing)
• Coughs or sneezes
• Sharing certain personal items (e.g., toothbrush, eating utensils)

Living with someone who has meningitis may also increase the risk of infections that can lead to meningitis. In many cases, people in close contact with bacterial meningitis patients are given antibiotics to help prevent transmission of the condition.

Vaccinations are available to prevent some forms of bacterial meningitis, including:

• Meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV4). Expected to give better, longer-lasting protection than previous meningitis vaccines. Licensed in 2005, MCV4 is also predicted to prevent person-to-person spread of meningitis. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends this vaccine for children at their routine adolescent visit (11 or 12 years of age) and other people at increased risk for the disease, including:
  
  
• Adolescents at high school entry
  
  
• College freshman living in dormitories
  
  
• Microbiologists routinely exposed to meningococcal bacteria
  
  
• U.S. military recruits
  
  
• People living in or traveling to areas with high rates of infection (e.g., Africa)
  
  
• Anyone with a damaged or removed spleen
  
  
• People with compromised immune systems
  
  
• Individuals who may have been exposed to meningitis during an outbreak

Up to 80 percent of meningococcal meningitis cases can be prevented with vaccination, according to the National Meningitis Association.

• Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine (Hib). Routinely given to children in the United States. Formerly a leading cause of meningitis, Hib is no longer a leading cause of the disease. The vaccine may also be used on adults with certain diseases (e.g., AIDS, sickle cell anemia).
  
  
• Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7). Also part of regular immunizations for young children. It may also be used for older children at risk for pneumococcal disease or who have other serious conditions (e.g., chronic lung disease, cancer). PCV7 should be avoided by children who have had a previous allergic reaction to the vaccine.
  
  
• Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV). This vaccine is recommended by the CDC for adults over age 65 and children with compromised immune systems or certain chronic conditions (e.g., heart disease).
  
  
• Measles, mumps and rubella vaccine (MMR). In most cases, people over the age of 18 who were born after 1956 should receive the MMR vaccine at least once. Children usually receive two doses of the vaccine; the first at 12 to 15 months of age and the second between the ages of 4 and 6. The vaccine has reduced the number of cases of meningitis formerly caused by measles, mumps or rubella.

Avoiding viruses that cause meningitis reduces the risk of contracting the viral form of the disease (e.g., herpes simplex virus, arboviruses). Cooking meat thoroughly will substantially reduce the risk of listeriosis, which may cause meningitis in some cases.

Washing hands regularly and properly kills germs and reduces the risk of viral meningitis. For example, parents are urged to wash their hands carefully after changing the diaper of an infected infant.

Use of insect repellant when outdoors may help prevent exposure to infected mosquitos and ticks.

Whenever a case of meningitis is diagnosed, it should be reported to local or state departments of health to help control the spread of the virus or bacteria responsible for the outbreak.