Defense Available

Prevention

There is a vaccine created to prevent diseases caused by neisseria meningitidis. The quadrivalent polysaccharide vaccine was licensed in 1981. Then the conjugate vaccine was licensed in U.S. in 2005. The vaccines do not protect against all causes of meningitis,so it is still very possible that someone could receive the vaccine and still get meningitis after. The risk of contracting meningococcal meningitis is significantly lower after the vaccine to prevent the diseases caused by neisseria meningitidis. Something you can do to prevent meningococcal meningitis caused by neisseria meningitidis is getting the vaccine. Others ways it can be prevented are, trying to avoid sharing drinks, eating utensils, or other items that may contain saliva. Practicing good hygiene is aswell a good way to help you avoid exposure. The treatment if you do get neisseria meningitidis is getting intravenous antibiotics and corticosteroids.