Prevention of Viral Meningitis
Currently there are no vaccines for the most common causes of viral meningitis. Therefore, the best way to prevent viral meningitis is to prevent the spread of viral infections. However, this is difficult because sometimes people infected with a virus do not appear sick, but they can still spread it to others they come in contact me.
The following steps can help you lower your chances of getting infected with a virus or passing a virus to someone else:
- Wash your hands thoroughly and often, especially after changing diapers, using the toilet, or coughing or blowing your nose.
- Disinfect frequently touched surfaces, such as doorknobs and the TV remote control.
- Avoid kissing or sharing cups or eating utensils with sick people; avoid sharing with others when you are sick.
- Make sure you and your child are vaccinated on schedule. Vaccinations included in the childhood vaccination schedule can protect children against some diseases that can lead to viral meningitis. These include vaccines against measles and mumps ( MMR vaccine) and chickenpox (varicella-zoster vaccine).
- Avoid bites from mosquitoes and other insects that carry diseases that can infect humans.
- Control mice and rats. If you have a rodent infestation in and/or around your home, follow the cleaning and control precautions listed on CDC’s website about LCMV (Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus).