Vaccination Key to Preventing Meningitis
Experts recommend vaccination as the most effective protection against bacterial infections that can cause meningitis, particularly for students in dormitories, military recruits, and travelers. Additional preventive measures include handwashing, using personal utensils, and ventilating rooms.
Consensus
- Vaccination is the most effective way to protect against bacterial infections that can cause meningitis.
- The most effective vaccines are against pneumococcus, meningococcus, and Haemophilus influenzae type b.
- Students living in dormitories, military recruits in barracks, and travelers to endemic regions are especially at risk.
- Vaccination is included in the routine childhood immunization schedule in many countries.
- Additional preventive measures include regular handwashing, using personal utensils, and room ventilation.
Points of divergence
- New genovariants of Hong Kong and swine flu may arrive in Russia this autumn, and the population may lack immunity against them. — vm
- In the event of a meningococcal outbreak in a closed group, all contacts are promptly given a short course of antibiotic prophylaxis to prevent disease. — riamo
Coverage (2 sources)
- How to protect against meningitis — Вечерняя Москва
- Deadly meningitis: what doctors advise for protection — РИАМО