Meningitis B is a bacterial infection of the meninges, which can cause life-threatening blood poisoning, brain damage, or death. Causes of meningitis B include Haemophilus influenzae type B, pneumococcus, meningococcal virus, and bacterial meningitis. It is characterized by headaches, high fever, and vomiting. The disorder spreads through direct contact with other people’s saliva, secretions, or contaminated surfaces.
If you experience the symptoms of meningitis B, it is important to go to the hospital and speak to a doctor. Meningitis B can be treated with antibiotics, but it is better to not get it in the first place. The following 5 methods are used to prevent meningitis B:

1. Don’t share drinks or utensils
Meningitis B spreads through saliva, so sharing drinks or utensils with others can easily transfer the virus to your body. To prevent this spread, stick to your own glass and utensils when spending time with friends or family, and wash your dishes thoroughly between uses.

2. Avoid coughing and sneezing openly
People can spread meningitis B by coughing and sneezing without covering their mouths. Saliva droplets are propelled out of your nose and mouth as you cough or sneeze. When people around you breathe in, they can be exposed to the saliva droplets that contain the meningitis B virus. Therefore, it is important to always cough or sneeze into your arm, a tissue, or a towel. Dispose of tissues immediately after use.

3. Don’t share cigarettes or vape pens
Cigarette sharing is a common practice among smokers, but it is possible to transmit meningitis B through cigarettes, as the cigarette filter can trap infectious bacteria in saliva. Vaping pens, which are becoming more popular, are another way of transmitting meningitis B. Vape pens can contain saliva from the mouth of the person who last used them. If you must share cigarettes or vape pens, use your mouthpiece.

4. Get vaccinated
Vaccination is a safe and effective way to prevent meningitis B. The vaccine is available for anyone above the age of 2 months. It is recommended that parents make sure their children get vaccinated to prevent meningitis B at the ages of 2, 4 and 12 months. Vaccines stimulate a person’s immune system to produce antibodies against specific bacteria or viruses. The vaccine will help your body develop immunity against the bacterium that causes meningitis B, so you will have protection if you are exposed to it in the future. Vaccines are available at family doctors’ clinics, local public health offices, and pharmacies. The vaccine protects for about 5 years after vaccination.

5. Practice good hygiene in group living settings
People who live in group settings, such as dorms, nursing homes, and military barracks, are more likely to get meningitis B. A person can transmit the disease when they cough or sneeze into the air and it lands on shared surfaces that others then touch with their hands. It is important to regularly clean shared surfaces in group living settings, such as floors, doorknobs, tables, and remote controls. When you clean shared surfaces, it is helpful to use an anti-bacterial cleaner.