Yes, they are called strains and there are several worth mentioning; meningococcal, pneumococcal, Hib, TB and neonatal meningitis. TB and neonatal are very rare, and Hib (which almost exclusively affects under 4's) has become rarer since the introduction of a vaccine for all under 4's. More information on all these forms is available on this site.

Meningococcal meningitis is spread person to person, mainly by coughing and sneezing. The risk of contracting the disease increases if...

Meningitis is an infection of the fluid of a person's spinal cord and the fluid that surrounds the brain. Meningitis is usually caused by a viral or bacterial infection. Knowing whether meningitis is caused by a virus or bacterium is important because the severity of illness and the treatment differ.

far as I am aware, only wild caught snails that carry the disease can pass on meningitis and only if they are undercooked and then eaten. Obviously you should wash your hands after you handle any pet, and observe proper hygiene in the regular cleaning of tanks and not allowing food to rot or become moldy.

Yes, there are vaccines against Hib and against some strains of N. meningitidis (meningococcal disease) and many types of Streptococcus pneumonia. The vaccines against Hib are very safe and highly effective. Boynton Health Service can administer this vaccine, but it is not covered under the student services fee. For more information, please call Boynton Health Service at 612-625-3222.

Meningococcal meningitis is a rare but potentially fatal bacterial infection. The disease is expressed as either meningococcal meningitis, an inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord, or meningococcemia, the presence of bacteria in the blood.

The cause of BV is not fully understood. BV is associated with an imbalance in the bacteria that are normally found in a woman’s vagina. The vagina normally contains mostly “good” bacteria and fewer “harmful” bacteria. BV develops when there is a change in the conditions within the vagina that causes an increase in harmful bacteria. Not much is known about how women get BV. There are many unanswered questions about the role that harmful bacteria play in causing BV.

Because of the number of cases and the fact that very little has been explained to the public. Until the Meningitis Foundation of America began in 1997, the US had no national organization working in this area offering advice and support to the general public. We believe that the public and opinion-formers, such as the media, will become more aware of the facts in the months ahead.

The TB germ is usually spread in the air. It is caught from another person who has TB of the lungs. The germ gets into the air when that person coughs or sneezes. But only some people with TB in the lungs are infectious to other people. Even then, you need close and prolonged contact with them to be at risk of being infected. Sputum smear positive cases stop being infectious after a couple of weeks of treatment.

People have caught bird flu from handling infected poultry and from surfaces contaminated with poultry feces. There are a few suspected cases of human-to-human bird flu transmission. This happened only after prolonged face-to-face contact. Bird flu has not learned how to spread easily from person to person.

Answer: While certain types of acne do contain a bacterium, it is located in the hair follicles under your skin and can not be transmitted through contact. So no, touching or kissing someone with acne will not cause you to develop acne.

Meningococcal meningitis can be treated with antibiotics. It is important, however, that treatment be started early in. Appropriate antibiotic treatment of most common types of bacterial meningitis should reduce the risk of dying from meningitis to below 15%, although the risk is higher among the elderly.

The main difference between these two categories of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) is what causes them -- bacterial STDs are caused by bacteria and viral STDs are caused by viruses. As a result of being caused by different microorganisms, bacterial and viral STDs vary in their treatment. Bacterial STDs, such as gonorrhea, syphilis, and chlamydia, are often cured with antibiotics.

Orchids benefit from fresh air circulation. In their natural habitat, orchids get excellent air circulation, which helps prevent bacterial and fungal diseases. Avoid cold drafts from coming in contact with the plants as well.

Bacterial vaginosis is caused by an overgrowth of one or more types of bacteria, including Gardnerella (also called Haemophilus) vaginalis, Mycoplasma species, and Mobilincus species. Symptoms include an unpleasant or fishy odor; increased vaginal discharge; or itching, burning, and redness in the vaginal area. Bacterial vaginosis has been found to be prevalent among African American women, and treatment options include topical applications or oral antibiotics.

Topical antibiotics result in such minimal levels of medication in the bloodstream, if any, that there is virtually no risk of developing bacterial resistance at sites other than where the topical antibiotic is being applied. A version of an oral antibiotic with less risk of microbial resistance has been developed specifically for rosacea.

To provide maximum protection during and after surgery, persons scheduled to receive cochlear implants should make sure two or more weeks before surgery, they are up-to-date, for their age, on pneumococcal vaccinations recommended for people at increased risk. In addition, parents of children younger than 5 years old should also be sure their child has received the right number of Hib doses two or more weeks before surgery.