Seeking Information/previous Experience with Bacterial Meningitis

Tiffany,
Speak with your physician. Caution is always best...

here is website that might help www.cdc.gov/meningitis/bacteria/faqs.htm some forms of bacterial meningitis are contagious, it depends on the type of bacteria. i hope you nephew will be alright, my thoughts and prayers are with you and him and his family.

Hi Tiffany,

Bacterial meningitis is a very dangerous infection of the protective membranes of the brain. I'm sorry that your nephew has been diagnosed with this. Please be very careful as it is highly contagious. Check with hospital personnel and if you are allowed to visit make sure you are covered and protected against exposure. Good luck to you and your nephew.

E.

bacterial meningitis is usually caused by one of three different strains of bacteria and is much more dangerous than viral meningitis. However, bacterial meningitis is not as contagious. At the same time, it is contagious via anything that comes from an infected person's nose or throat. For example, if your nephew coughs or sneezes and touches a phone and then you touch the phone you can be exposed. Obviously, sharing a drink or food would be a very bad idea. While bacterial meningitis is not as contagious as viral, it is still contagious and extremely serious. You need to think of yourself and your baby first. I'm sure your relatives will understand. If not, that's just too bad. I know it feels awful not to visit a sick relative, but just be sure to voice your support in other ways -- maybe offer to pick up groceries, etc. However, I would talk to your OB before going to the boy's house. I hope your nephew has a speedy and complete recovery.

I do not believe you should visit as you don't know how your nephew contracted meningitis. Adult symptoms besides fever is severe head and body pain. Best wishes to you and your nephew.

Hi Tiffany,
Definitely stay away from your nephew and your entire immediate family should as well. It is very contagious and people die from it every year. I would stay completely away from your nephew and his family for a few weeks. Of course you can tell them you're just being safe so they won't feel hurt. But don't go around them. It can be on their clothes, their hands, absolutely anything, and transfer to you and then you and your baby are in great danger. God bless.

Hi Tiffany

Bacterial is contagious, although much rarer than viral , yet anyone can catch it.. With viral meningitis it can clear up on its own. at first it peaks (a VERY high fever and bad headache) then drops off, while bacterial requires strong medication. My son recently had viral (at first it was believed to be bacterial) that being said, NO visitors outside of his father and I were allowed into his room , especially younger and older people.. WHY? because it's highly contagious and you being pregnant, I highly doubt the hospital would even allow you in... NOR should you go in as bacterial can have devastating results... (for which I won't go into) you can google those.. don't want to alarm you...
The doctors and nurses who did come into my son's room all wore something to cover their mouths and suited up in special hospital garments then disrobed and tossed the items once they left.... basically, the room is quarantined.... the reason they first thought my son had bacterial was because when we brought him in, he was at the peak of the meningitis (as mentioned, it peaks with a high fever and headache) then drops off) because of this peak time, it appeared to be bacterial UNTIL they did the cultures to determine which type of meningitis is was..
they are probably already doing this for your nephew....
I would call BEFORE you attempt to visit him and or his parents for whom may be contagious. since you are pregnant I wouldn't jeopardize yours or your baby's health.. ask the doctor BEFORE you visit the family as much as you love them, if it's truly bacterial, I think the doctors will tell you to stay away until it's no longer contagious..

best of luck to you and most of all to your little nephew.. :(