It is recommended that all family and close contacts (especially in health care or school settings) of people with this type of meningitis begin antibiotic treatment as soon as possible to prevent spread of the infection. Ask your health care provider about this during the initial diagnostic visit.

Close contacts in the same household, school, or day care center should be watched for early signs of the disease as soon as the initial case is diagnosed. Preventive measures such as washing your hands before and after changing a diaper or using the bathroom and other good hygiene habits should always be implemented.

Vaccines are effective for the control of epidemics and are currently recommended for college students and military recruits, as well as travelers to certain parts of the world.