Is meningitus catching?

[GirlAfraid23]

I work in a school and a child in the nursery is suffering from this.
Is it contageous and if so by how much?
I'm very anxious that I have the early signs already as I have a sore throat, tickly cough and abit shivery.
Can anyone help?

[emeraldgirl]

I think you have to be in very close contact for some time to catch it so its not as contagious as a cold or bad chest which there are loads of around at the moment. I sat next to someone in a meeting who went down with meningitis the next day and no one at the meeting (around 50 people) caught it.

[sparkle_1979]

I think it is but you are much more likely to have a cold or flu

[GirlAfraid23]

The thing that worries me is little kids touch their nose and mouth then touch you so isn't thst how its spread?

[emeraldgirl]

If the doctors think you are at risk they will give you antibiotics but its usually only for those that have been in very close contact maybe if you are in the same class as the child that has it

[GirlAfraid23]

Should I ring my doc?
No im not in the class but i am in the class next door

[emeraldgirl]

You could call the doc for some advice if you are really worried but if you aren't in the same class I think you will be ok. I really think you have to be in very close contact over some length of time to catch it. Maybe call just for peace of mind if it will make you feel less anxious

[GirlAfraid23]

I am not sure they take calls like that is all.
Would NHS direct tell me?
I've been looking it up online and its scaring me.

[Anxious_gal]

One of them is, I think it's the virus one.
If he had that then the entire place would be shut down n everyone put on medication.

My mum had bacterial and that's not contagious so more than likely its that one.
Also you would have gotten your meningitis vaccine and that protects you from the virus one.

[Lilharry]

Of course you can ring your doctor about it. Don't be afraid to see your doctor if you are worried. It is catching, but unlikely that you would have it. Early signs are rash, sore neck and sensitivity to light. In my country they encourage people with symptoms to see their doctor because we have yearly outbreaks of it.