About Meningitis

Will you get meningitis if you go to China? Probably not. It is actually not that common in China. According to the WHO, meningitis is most common in Sub-Sahara Africa. It is also common in the USA and other Western countries. It is most often spread in places where many people live in close quarters, especially college dormitories and military barracks. If you will be living in such a place, in China or any other country, you should consider getting a vaccination for meningitis. Universities in the U.K. and many colleges in the USA require a meningitis vaccination for freshmen students. If you are just going to travel in China, you probably don’t need a meningitis inoculation.

Here are some links to information about meningitis.

MSN article on Meningitis -- Good introduction

World Health Organization fact sheet -- Where is meningitis most common?

U.S. Centers for Disease Control Information on Spinal Meningitis

Meningitis Foundation of the USA -- Read stories of other meningitis victims

National Meningitis Trust (UK)

Hong Kong Adventist Hospital