Inflammation of membranes around the spinal cord and brain is called meningitis. Meningitis is a disease which is contagious, depending whether the disease is caused by a virus or bacterium. The disease is medically called meningococcal, and it is spread via respiratory secretions and also when a person gets into contact with the infected person. Sometimes oral contact, including sharing cigarettes or glasses or kissing intimately, can also transmit this disease.

Some people are carriers of the disease and do not show any symptoms. These people are more dangerous to others than those who have the disease. If the person is suffering from concurrent respiratory illness or suppressed immunity, the bacterium enters the body.

Meningococcal is a disease which affects in winter and the spring seasons. The symptoms are same as flu, so it is often mistaken and not taken seriously. The symptoms of this disease are headache, high fever, stiff neck, vomiting, confusion, lethargy and nausea. As the disease moves to a further stage, rashes appear on the legs and arms. Any person, who is experiencing these symptoms, should see their doctor immediately. If it is not treated within some hours after the symptoms are noticed, it can lead to shock or death.

It also affects the international travelers and it depends on the route they are traveling. It is mostly seen in the sub Sahara Africa, which is called the meningitis belt, and also in some parts of the South America and Asia. Some vaccines are available to protect people from meningitis. Some countries make it mandatory for foreign visitors to be vaccinated against meningitis. For instance, to enter Saudi Arabia for Hajj, a person needs to get vaccinated against meningitis. Otherwise, they are not allowed into Mecca and Medina.

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