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
![Doctor with patient.](images/doctor-girl.jpg)
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
![Sick boy](images/sick-boy.jpg)
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
![meningitis mutants](images/meningitis-guys.jpg)
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]
Images and logos on this website which are trademarked/copyrighted or used with permission of the trademark/copyright or logo holder are not in the public domain. These images and logos have been licensed for or used with permission in the materials provided on this website. The materials in the form presented on this website may be used without seeking further permission. Any other use of trademarked/copyrighted images or logos requires permission from the trademark/copyright holder...more
This graphic notice means that you are leaving an HHS Web site. For more information, please see the Exit Notification and Disclaimer policy.
Contact Us:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
1600 Clifton Rd
Atlanta, GA 30333 - 800-CDC-INFO
(800-232-4636)
TTY: (888) 232-6348 - New Hours of Operation
8am-8pm ET/Monday-Friday
Closed Holidays - cdcinfo@cdc.gov