Can bacterial meningitis be passed from the infected tchild to another child through a third party. IF we were in touch with a two-year child who may have it, could we pass it on to our three year old granddaughter the next day who has a weak immune stystem due to Childhood Nephrotic Syndrome?We did not have close contact with the infected child at all.Thank you for getting back to me.

Evelyn Brooks responds:

Due to the medical nature of your question, I would advise you to get in touch with your granddaughter’s physician for information specific to her care.

I can tell you that Meningitis is passed through air droplets and close contact with an infected individual (e.g., coughing, kissing).

Your granddaughter’s doctor might recommend a “prophylactic” dose of antibiotic, but again you need to consult him / her specifically.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends meningococcal vaccination for all adolescents 11 through 18 years of age and college freshmen living in dormitories. The meningococcal conjugate vaccine is approved for use among those two through 55 years of age, so you may want to ask your healthcare provider about vaccination for the children. NMA feels that immunization is the best form of prevention for meningococcal disease.

Evelyn Brooks
NMA MOM from Virginia