Question 1

how long does meningitis live in saliva outside the body? seconds? minutes? hours? if someone slobbered all over a balloon and then i went to blow up the balloon and it was wet, can i get it, if they were carriers?

Accepted Answer

: The risk depends on the type of meningitis and how close someone is exposed. If meningococcal meningitis, preventive antibiotic is needed for all close contacts (household members, classmates, etc), and certainly for someone who had this kind of contact with wet saliva. Discuss with your doctor, or ask your local or state health department. (No risk from saliva of someone without meningitis.)

Question 2

my 2 yr old drank of another childs sippy cup right after the child drank from it. what are the chances of her catching bacterial meningitis? does it live long once outside the body? its rare,1 and 10 carriers, what if this kid is a carrier? worry?

Accepted Answer

: A  toddler touches objects/the floor/bugs/debris and puts their fingers in their mouth routinely. They have an estimated 100+ exposures/day to a variety of germs. In spite of this normal behavior it is rare for any of them to get meningitis. If you had him vaccinated properly the big risk germ is no longer an issue. Worry if you want. I consider it not than worth the effort.

Question 3

interested to know how does someone get meningitis?

Accepted Answer

Close contact: Person to person transmission occurs through droplets from the respiratory tract.

Question 4

wouldn't meningitis be detected by symptoms in someone who was being tested for it?

Accepted Answer

Most often: It certainly diagnosed by the clinical exam but the real answer lies in the spinal tap because not all exams particularly in infants can detect meningitis. The spinal tap will confirm it and direct treatment.

Question 5

what would happen if meningitis went untreated?  could someone ultimately get better on their own or would death occur?

Accepted Answer

Meningitis: Although perhaps not 100% fatal, the percentage is close, and if the patient does not die they may have significant post-infectious neurological and other complications which may be permanent.

Question 6

if someone had meningitis and i stayed near him or her do i get meningitis as well? and if someone is having meningitis, will i have meningitis?

Accepted Answer

Depends on the type: Most people have a distorted view of "meningitis" since most are familiar with the fearsome "meningococcal" form, caused by neisseria meningitidis bacteria. In fact, many, types of  meningitis (bacteria, virus, etc)  are not contagious just by merely standing beside a person. It depends on how an organism cause a meningitis and how intact a person's immune system is in fighting the  offending agent.

Question 7

might someone have meningitis without a fever?

Accepted Answer

Unusual: Most meningitis present with fever, neck pain, stiff neck.

Question 8

how can  one disinfect after someone has been diagnosed for meningitis?

Accepted Answer

Meningitis: Meningitis is treated by giving the patient the appropriate medication to treat the disorder, a patient with meningitis is not "disinfect" rather is treated by antibiotics or other medications to clear the infection.

Question 9

if i kissed someone a few days ago, then they came down with meningitis, how long until i know if i will get it or not?

Accepted Answer

Contact your doctor: If a bacterial meningococcal meningits, you need intervention ASAP, and even if viral, have your doctor see you.  Do not wait to see if you become sick.  Be proactive.

Question 10

i believe i have meningitis. i was wondering if it would be okay to kiss someone or be around people tonight depending on the type of meningitis i have.

Accepted Answer

No close contact: if you have close contact with anyone and you have meningitis, they may develop it as well. There are many different bacterial and viral causes and they are spread by close contact.

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Doctor answers about:

Can someone be a carrier of meningitis without knowing

A member asked:

How long does meningitis live in saliva outside the body? seconds? minutes? hours? if someone slobbered all over a balloon and then i went to blow up the balloon and it was wet, can i get it, if they were carriers?

A member asked:

My 2 yr old drank of another childs sippy cup right after the child drank from it. what are the chances of her catching bacterial meningitis? does it live long once outside the body? its rare,1 and 10 carriers, what if this kid is a carrier? worry?

A member asked:

Interested to know how does someone get meningitis?

A member asked:

Wouldn't meningitis be detected by symptoms in someone who was being tested for it?

A member asked:

What would happen if meningitis went untreated? could someone ultimately get better on their own or would death occur?

A member asked:

If someone had meningitis and i stayed near him or her do i get meningitis as well? and if someone is having meningitis, will i have meningitis?

A member asked:

Might someone have meningitis without a fever?

A member asked:

How can one disinfect after someone has been diagnosed for meningitis?

A member asked:

If i kissed someone a few days ago, then they came down with meningitis, how long until i know if i will get it or not?

A member asked:

I believe i have meningitis. i was wondering if it would be okay to kiss someone or be around people tonight depending on the type of meningitis i have.

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