Vaccines, Primary Protection to Prevent Meningitis

Meningitis  is a dangerous disease, This highly contagious disease that can be suffered by children to adults. meningitis can be prevented by using vaccine.

Meningitis can be caused by bacteria or viruses. From the two types of meningitis, bacterial meningitis is much more dangerous. You can be exposed to the bacteria when an infected person (carrier) sneezing or coughing.

The bacteria can also be spread through kissing or using eating utensils, toothbrushes, or cigarettes smoked turns. Higher risk of contracting also if you live or work with people who suffer from this disease.

Even so the disease can be prevented by vaccination. In fact there are vaccines which give protection as well as to four or five different types of bacteria that cause meningococcal meningitis.

"The vaccine will be given at the proper age and type of bacteria. Usually specific types of germs at one age level," said Dr.Iris Rengganis internal medicine physician, from the Faculty of Medicine, University of Indonesia.

Pharmaceutical companies also continue to develop the vaccine according to the ability of germs to mutate. "In 1995 only serogroups A and C germs that cause meningitis, since 2004 started no germ mutation," said Theresia Adhitirta, Indonesia PT.Novartis vaccine business manager in the educational media event to welcome the global meningitis in Jakarta, Tuesday (23/4 / 13).

Vaccine is not only recommended for babies and toddlers, but also for those who will be traveling to countries where meningitis attacks often occur, such as Africa, America, and Australia. The pilgrims are also required meningococcal meningitis vaccination at least 2 weeks before arrival in the Holy Land.

Vaccine side effects are relatively small and varies from person to person. "There is just a headache, rashes on skin, but there is also a swelling in the injection area," said Teresa.