Meningitis is not a very common but one of the most dangerous infections. It is the inflation of the meninges, a thin membrane that protects your brain and spinal cord. There are several reasons that cause meningitis and they include a weak immune system, bleeding of the meninges, contact with people with infections, etc. Although meningitis can be treated, it can prove fatal.

Meningitis is particularly dangerous as it affects the brain and spinal cord. Ignoring the symptoms of meningitis can leave serious lifelong handicap conditions. As the saying goes “Prevention is better than cure,” it is imperative to prevent this disease and take steps to avoid it all together.

Maintain a healthy lifestyle – It is necessary to maintain a healthy lifestyle irrespective of the conditions. You should get enough sleep, eat healthy, not smoke, and immediately visit the doctor in case of any infection. A healthy lifestyle is essential to keep your immunity strong.

Wash your hands – As kids, we have been taught to wash our hands before and after an activity. However, we often forget to do so. The simple act of washing your hand before and after eating a meal, changing a diaper, coughing, or visiting the washroom can prevent bacteria from entering your mouth. Always use soap and water to wash your hands.

Avoid sharing personal items – Refrain from sharing a glass, plate, toothbrush, or lipsticks with another person. Contact with an infected person’s secretion such as saliva and nasal mucus can lead to contracting of meningitis.

Cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze – Always place your hand on your nose and mouth when you feel the urge to sneeze. A sneeze can lead to the spread of bacteria and viruses that cause meningitis.

Vaccination – Getting yourself vaccinated at the right time is the best way to prevent meningitis. It is recommended that one must get vaccinated between the age of 10 and 21 as this is the age when the risk of contracting meningitis is the highest. Also, of you are planning to travel or live in a region that is known to be common for meningitis, then it is better to take the vaccine.

Consult the doctor – If you do come in contact with a person who has the infection, do visit your doctor at the earliest. Depending on the type of meningitis, your doctor will be able to prescribe you some medication as a precaution. Try and limit contact with any person who is infected.

These are a few steps that you should take to avoid being susceptible to meningitis.