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Is Bacterial Meningitis Contagious?
Question: I have a question about meningitis. Ive read that bacterial meningitis can spread through coughing. Today someone was standing about 1 foot behind me and coughed into the air, and within a second or two i turned around and had my mouth open and was breathing through my mouth which i usually never do. I started thinking about it a few minutes later and feel like i breathed in everything that person coughed out because they were standing right behind me. This person had been coughing a lot (but it was potentially a smokers cough because they do smoke), so im worried about getting sick and spreading it to my young son. Im mainly concerned about meningitis because i know healthy people can carry and spread the bacteria without being affected themselves. I was wondering if you could give me some detailed information on how bacterial meningitis is spread, as well as some potential examples. Thanks!
Brief Answer:
In your case meningitis very unlikely.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for using HCM.
I have read your question and understand your concerns.
Meningitis is an infection of brain coverings and can be caused by bacteria, viruses or fungal infections.
Those possible pathogens could reach brain coverings in two ways:
1- by blood stream
2- by direct infection such in cases of inner ear and deep sinuses infection or skull fractures after trauma.
Risk factors include age (younger ages are more prone), compromised immune system, skipping of vaccination and living in crowded communities.
I don't think you can contact meningitis just by standing near a person who coughs and is not suffering from meningitis, so, don't worry about.
Hope you found the answer helpful.
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Take care.
In your case meningitis very unlikely.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for using HCM.
I have read your question and understand your concerns.
Meningitis is an infection of brain coverings and can be caused by bacteria, viruses or fungal infections.
Those possible pathogens could reach brain coverings in two ways:
1- by blood stream
2- by direct infection such in cases of inner ear and deep sinuses infection or skull fractures after trauma.
Risk factors include age (younger ages are more prone), compromised immune system, skipping of vaccination and living in crowded communities.
I don't think you can contact meningitis just by standing near a person who coughs and is not suffering from meningitis, so, don't worry about.
Hope you found the answer helpful.
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Answered by
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