CDC - Meningitis - Site Home Page

Meningitis is a disease caused by the inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord known as the meninges. The inflammation is usually caused by an infection of the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord.

Meningitis may develop in response to a number of causes, usually bacteria or viruses, but meningitis can also be caused by physical injury, cancer or certain drugs.

The severity of illness and the treatment for meningitis differ depending on the cause. Thus, it is important to know the specific cause of meningitis.

There are 5 "types" of meningitis

Bacterial Meningitis

Caused by bacteria, like Neisseria meningitidis and Streptococcus pneumoniae. It can be a life-threatening infection that needs immediate medical attention. There are vaccines to prevent some kinds of bacterial meningitis.

Viral Meningitis

Caused by viruses, like enteroviruses and herpes simplex viruses. It’s serious, but rarely fatal in people with normal immune systems. There are vaccines to prevent some kinds of viral meningitis.

Fungal Meningitis

Caused by fungi like Cryptococcus and Histoplasma. Usually acquired by inhaling fungal spores from the environment. People with certain medical conditions like diabetes, cancer, or HIV are at higher risk of fungal meningitis.

Parasitic Meningitis

Caused by parasites and less common in developed countries. Parasites, like Angiostrongylus cantonensis can contaminate food, water and soil

Non-infectious Meningitis

Not spread from person to person, but can be caused by cancers, systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus), certain drugs, head injury, and brain surgery.

Transmission

Bacterial Meningitis

Bacterial meningitis is contagious. The bacteria are spread through the exchange of respiratory and throat secretions (i.e., kissing).

Viral Meningitis

Enteroviruses, the most common cause of viral meningitis, are most often spread from person to person through fecal contamination (which can occur when changing a diaper or using the toilet and not properly washing hands afterwards).

Meningitis versus Meningococcal Disease: there IS a difference

Having meningitis doesn't always mean you have meningococcal disease. And having meningococcal disease doesn’t necessarily mean you have meningitis. Meningococcal disease is any infection caused by the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis, or meningococcus. Any infection caused by that bacteria is known as meningococcal disease. One serious infection it can cause is meningococcal meningitis.

Meningitis Mutants

Both viral meningitis and bacterial meningitis actually have lower-level operators doing all their dirty work.

Viral meningitis infections are usually caused by common viruses.

Bacterial meningitis is caused by three bacteria with complex code names...more [378 KB, 2 pages]

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