Viral meningitis is usually treated with pain control, medication for fever, and rest. Bacterial meningitis is always treated with hospitalization and intravenous antibiotics. Meningitis is contagious, especially bacterial meningitis, although not as contagious as the common cold or flu. One type of meningitis, Neisseria meningitis, is extremely lethal and all close contacts of a patient, such as those that live with a patient or are in daycare with a patient or involved in the patient's medical care must be treated with antibiotics to prevent the disease from spreading. The ill and elderly often receive pneumococcal vaccine, which is effective in preventing another type of meningitis in adults.
Meningicoccal meningitis is most common among college students and military recruits.
For this reason, college freshman and military recruits should receive meningicoccal vaccine, which is effective against most strains of the disease in the United States. Remember, if you have any signs or symptoms of meningitis, see your physician immediately and make sure that you discuss vaccination with your physician to make sure that you are appropriately protected.