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Meningitis is a word that conjures up pictures of horror and understandably so. In simple terms, meningitis is an inflammation of the meninges - the protective layers that cover the brain and spinal cord. Because of the brain and spinal cord are both involved, meningitis is considered to be a serious condition as it can lead to serious brain damage, and even death. Meningitis can be caused due to infection, physical damage or even drugs. Both children and adults can contract this illness as it is spread through air and coughing, sneezing, kissing etc can pass on the infection. Meningitis associated with infection which is the most common, can be treated with antibiotics. However, there is never a guarantee of zero damage, and hence it is best to protect against the chance of contracting meningitis due to infections. One of the best ways of protection from meningitis is the Meningitis vaccination. Meningitis can be caused because of a virus or bacteria. Bacterial meningitis is more severe than viral meningitis and rarer. Thus, a single Meningitis vaccination is not enough to protect against all strains of virus/bacteria that can cause meningitis. There are 3 major meningitis vaccinations that are now part
of every vaccination schedule for children. These three Meningitis vaccinations are Meningitis C, Hib (Haemophilus Influenzae type b) and Pneumococcal vaccines. The meningitis vaccination meningitis C involves the action of an inactivated part of the meningococcal bacteria C that causes meningitis C. This meningitis vaccination is given in 2 doses at 2 months and 3 months of age. This vaccine is recommended for everyone below the age of 25 who has not been vaccinated before. Hib is another meningitis vaccination that is used regularly. This vaccine is also made like the meningitis C vaccination - from an inactivated part of the Hib virus. This meningitis vaccination is part of the combination of core vaccines (including tetanus, diphtheria, polio etc) given to babies in 3 doses, at two, three and four months of age. At 12 months of age, a booster shot is given for both meningitis C and Hib vaccines. The third meningitis vaccination is the Pneumococcal vaccines. It too is an inactivated vaccine. This meningitis vaccination is also given in 3 doses at two, four and thirteen months. The three meningitis vaccinations are recommended for those patients with a inadequately functioning spleen (as in sickle cell disease) or after removing the spleen due to some accident. These meningitis vaccinations are safe and effective to use. Since all three vaccines are inactive they do not make the person ill. There are the usual reactions to vaccines which include a slight fever, increased irritability, slight rash etc. Thus, a simple and effective way to protect one from the potentially life threatening condition of meningitis is to make use of the availability of meningitis vaccinations. Childhood Vaccination
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