What is meningitis?
Meningitis or meningococcal meningitis is an infection of the meninges caused by a bacteria named Neisseria meningitidis. This is a contagious disease which can be spread through activities like coughs, kissing, sneezing, sharing cigarettes, toothbrushes or food.
It is not regarded as a very serious health matter but may cause some discomforts or lead to infections.
Meningitis can occur to anyone of us but some are at higher risk of suffering this health issue than others include:
- People aged over 60
- Babies aged less than 5
- Using alcohol
- Having cancer, especially chemotherapy
- Using the immunosuppressive and transplant drugs
- Having close contact with meningitis patients
- People with diabetes
- Those who live in dormitories
What causes meningitis?
Normally, meningitis can be triggered by various factors, some of them are listed below:
- Infection
- Viruses
- Fungi
- Medications
- Environmental factors
Common Symptoms of meningitis?
Those who suffer meningitis may experience some symptoms:
- Headache
- High fiver
- Runny nose
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Stiff neck
- Fear of light
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- A rash
- Muscle pain
In most cases, meningitis fungus and bacteria must be treated according to guideline of doctors, while viral meningitis can be definitely avoided by following some home methods. This writing below will suggest some of easy tips to prevent this health matter.
1. Get vaccinated
Undoubtedly, getting vaccinated against meningitis is regarded as one of the most effective methods used to prevent the chances of suffering any symptom of this discomfort.
It is true that people aged from 16 and 21 have higher risk of facing meningitis than others. Therefore, you are advised to take a meningitis vaccine at age of 11 or 12 then a repeated one when you are between 16 and 18 years old.
Moreover, taking vaccines against some common diseases such as mumps, chickenpox, rubella or measles is also helpful in protecting you from getting viral meningitis.
2. Remember not to share personal items
It is said that you can easily have meningitis once you contact with respiratory of those who are getting infected. These close contacts include kissing and sharing personal items.
The advice for you is not sharing personal items with them. Besides, you should not use those items of those who are being infected. Those items include water bottles, cigarettes, lipsticks, drinking glasses, lip glosses, toothbrushes, silverware or straws.
3. Have a safe distance from people with meningitis
Along with using your personal items, you should keeping a moderate distance from infected people. It is because once they cough or sneeze, bad bacteria from throat and nose secretions of them may spread into the air. Unless you keep a safe distance from them, you may get close contact with these secretions, thereby leading to disease.
Therefore, the safe distance advised for you is at least 3 feet away from those affected by meningitis. Moreover, in case people around you sneeze or cough, you should cover your mouth with your own cloth to protect yourself from possible bad bacteria.
4. Cleaning your hands daily
Undeniably, it is important to keep your hands clean all the time even when you do not have close contact with effected people.
Like other viruses, bad bacteria and viruses causing meningitis can be transmitted from your hands to your mouth then lead to disease.
You should use hand-wash products like soap to wash your hands frequently, especially after entering the bathroom, meeting a crowd or sneezing and coughing. Remember to wash them carefully then dry them completely with your own towel.
5. Enhance your immunity
It will be a mistake if you ignore the next method to prevent meningitis. It is believed that some main factors triggering meningitis come from inside the body. Therefore, it is essential to protect the body from inside by enhancing your immune system.
A healthy immunity may help you fight against some causes leading to meningitis once you bump into.
The most effective way to strengthen your immune system is creating a healthy diet for your own family. It is said that a diet with full of fresh fruits and vegetables is considered a good diet for your health, especially for your immunity.
Moreover, you should combine with doing exercise regularly and sleeping enough to boost your immune system.
6. Take some supplements
The last but not least is increasing supplements to your body.
Sometimes, your body can not absorb all the nutrients form foods. In such cases, you better supplement some minerals and vitamins like vitamin A, C, D and E, Magnesium, Zinc, iron which help maintain healthy life as well as reduce the risk of getting inflammation around spinal cord and brain.
Moreover, fish oils and some fatty acids sources are also effective in avoiding some health issues including meningitis. It is because they can contribute to improve the conditions of inflammation as well as strengthen the immunity.