Is meningitis contagious?
Disease description:
My child has contracted meningitis, and I'm very worried. I would like to know, is meningitis contagious?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Yang Ziqi
The contagiousness of different types of meningitis varies. Specifically:
1. Bacterial meningitis is contagious to some extent and mainly spreads through respiratory droplets. Close contact with a patient during coughing or sneezing may lead to infection.
2. Viral and fungal meningitis generally are not transmitted directly from person to person. Their transmission routes may include exposure to environments containing viruses or fungi; for example, certain viruses may be transmitted via insect vectors.
If symptoms such as fever, headache, and neck stiffness—suggestive of meningitis—occur, prompt medical attention is recommended.
