Meningitis is a bacterial disease, which is caused because of contaminated food, water and respiratory secretions (e.g. coughing or sneezing). It is a communicable disease, which can be spread due to sharing drinking glasses or intimate contact.
Sudden fever, intense headache, nausea, vomiting, and stiff neck are few of the common symptoms that people might face, if suffering from meningitis.
However, anyone can get meningococcal disease, but certain groups of people are at increased risk. From the word certain group, we here refer to travelers.
Travelers who are moving to locations like parts of Africa, Saudi Arabia, and Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, they are at a higher risk of getting in contact with this disease.
However, it is not necessary that travelers who are visiting these areas they are definitely going to catch this disease, but travelers who would be staying for long, live with locals in rural areas, attend the Hajj or Umrah pilgrimages in Saudi Arabia, visit the country during seasonal work or dry season, they are likely to get prone to meningitis.
Studies have shown that some age groups have higher rates of meningitis than others. These include children under age 5, teenagers and young adults age 16-25 and adults over age 55. However, it is more of a danger for people who are suffering with certain medical conditions such as damaged spleen, chronic disease, or immune system disorders.
Therefore, travelers who are travelling to such locations, they can prevent meningococcal disease by getting vaccination. Following is piece of information related to meningitis vaccine:
Sudden fever, intense headache, nausea, vomiting, and stiff neck are few of the common symptoms that people might face, if suffering from meningitis.
However, anyone can get meningococcal disease, but certain groups of people are at increased risk. From the word certain group, we here refer to travelers.
Travelers who are moving to locations like parts of Africa, Saudi Arabia, and Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, they are at a higher risk of getting in contact with this disease.
However, it is not necessary that travelers who are visiting these areas they are definitely going to catch this disease, but travelers who would be staying for long, live with locals in rural areas, attend the Hajj or Umrah pilgrimages in Saudi Arabia, visit the country during seasonal work or dry season, they are likely to get prone to meningitis.
Studies have shown that some age groups have higher rates of meningitis than others. These include children under age 5, teenagers and young adults age 16-25 and adults over age 55. However, it is more of a danger for people who are suffering with certain medical conditions such as damaged spleen, chronic disease, or immune system disorders.
Therefore, travelers who are travelling to such locations, they can prevent meningococcal disease by getting vaccination. Following is piece of information related to meningitis vaccine:
- Meningitis A, C, W135 and Y types of vaccines are available.
- Prior 2 to 3 weeks from travelling, vaccination is given to the person.
- Adults and children get one dose, which last for 5 years.
- For children under 5, protection last for 2 to 3 years.
- Babies who are 2 months to 2 years old, they get 2 doses as protection in them does not last for a longer time as compared to adults.
- Vaccine to babies under 2 months old is not suitable.
- Travelers going to the Hajj needs to show proof of vaccination.
However, here the question arises from where one should get themselves vaccinated? Well, visiting a travel clinic is an optimal option here. They are expert in providing vaccinations to travelers in, which other centers are not equipped at (because they have complete information regarding the disease prone areas).