After a young pupil dies of meningitis in Egypt, tips to help prevention

There are rumors that the meningitis has been spread across Egypt and among young people.

However, The ministry of Health  has denied rumors regarding the spread of the virus across Egypt and affirmed health teams across Egypt are conducting periodic epidemiological scan and checking foreign citizens for deceases to prevent the spread of viruses and epidemics.

A young pupil has recently died in Samalout, El-Menia, after being diagnosed with a suspected case of meningitis.

The disease is most often caused by bacteria or a virus, with the viral form of the disease usually being less serious than bacterial meningitis.

Bacterial meningitis can cause hearing loss, brain damage, other disabilities, and even death — and it’s contagious, potentially transmitted through kissing or sharing close quarters with an infected person.

Meningitis can affect anyone, anywhere, at any age – but it’s more common in children under the age of 5, teenagers and young adults. Students in their first year of tertiary education living in student accommodation may also be at higher risk.

Here are the top tips for preventing meningitis:

All children should  get vaccinated against meningococcal meningitis & other childhood diseases. Meningococcal disease is an uncommon but life-threatening bacterial infection. The meningococcal vaccine is recommended for all children aged 11–18 years, routinely given at 11 years with a booster at 16.

Second, one should wash his hands regularly and not share personal items. The germs that cause meningitis spread just like cold and flu viruses and can be shared through kissing or sneezing. Meningococcal bacteria live in the back of the nose and throat and are carried by up to a quarter of the population, but they do not live long outside the human body.

one also should maintain his immune system by getting enough rest, exercising regularly, and eating a healthy diet with plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains.

Practicing good hygiene can also help avoid exposure to this virus. Meningococcal meningitis is usually spread through contact with the saliva or nasal secretions of an infected person. Try to avoid sharing drinks, eating utensils, or other items that may contain saliva. Also, don’t engage in open-mouthed kissing with an infected person.

The bacteria found in nose and throat secretions can also spread through coughing and sneezing. One could get meningitis if close enough to an infected person to come in direct contact with these secretions.