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Meningitis
Summary
Meningitis is inflammation of the thin tissue that surrounds the brain and spinal cord, called the meninges. There are several types of meningitis. The most common is viral meningitis. You get it when a virus enters the body through the nose or mouth and travels to the brain. Bacterial meningitis is rare, but can be deadly. It usually starts with bacteria that cause a cold-like infection. It can cause stroke, hearing loss, and brain damage. It can also harm other organs. Pneumococcal infections and meningococcal infections are the most common causes of bacterial meningitis.
Anyone can get meningitis, but it is more common in people with weak immune systems. Meningitis can get serious very quickly. You should get medical care right away if you have:
- A sudden high fever
- A severe headache
- A stiff neck
- Nausea or vomiting
Early treatment can help prevent serious problems, including death. Tests to diagnose meningitis include blood tests, imaging tests, and a spinal tap to test cerebrospinal fluid. Antibiotics can treat bacterial meningitis. Antiviral medicines may help some types of viral meningitis. Other medicines can help treat symptoms.
There are vaccines to prevent some of the bacterial infections that cause meningitis.
NIH: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
Specifics
- Arachnoiditis National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
- Bacterial Meningitis Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Fungal Meningitis Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Meningitis World Health Organization
- Non-Infectious Meningitis Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Parasitic Meningitis Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Subacute and Chronic Meningitis Merck & Co., Inc.
- Viral Meningitis Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Diagnosis and Tests
- Bacteria Culture Test National Library of Medicine
- Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) Analysis National Library of Medicine
- Nasal Swab National Library of Medicine
- Procalcitonin Test National Library of Medicine
- Spinal Tap (Lumbar Puncture) Nemours Foundation
- Ultrasound: Head (For Parents) Nemours Foundation
Patient Handouts
- Cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) collection Medical Encyclopedia
- Cerebrospinal fluid culture Medical Encyclopedia
- Gram-negative meningitis Medical Encyclopedia
- Meningitis Medical Encyclopedia
- Meningitis – cryptococcal Medical Encyclopedia
- Meningitis – H. influenzae Medical Encyclopedia
- Meningococcal ACWY Vaccine: What You Need to Know Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV): What You Need to Know Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine (PPSV23): What You Need to Know Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Clinical Trials
- ClinicalTrials.gov: Meningitis National Institutes of Health
- ClinicalTrials.gov: Meningitis, Aseptic National Institutes of Health
Encyclopedia
- CSF analysis Medical Encyclopedia
- CSF cell count Medical Encyclopedia
- CSF smear Medical Encyclopedia
- Meningitis – meningococcal Medical Encyclopedia
- Meningitis – pneumococcal Medical Encyclopedia
- Meningitis – staphylococcal Medical Encyclopedia
- Meningitis – tuberculous Medical Encyclopedia
- Sinus x-ray Medical Encyclopedia
- Subdural effusion Medical Encyclopedia
- Syphilitic aseptic meningitis Medical Encyclopedia
- Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome Medical Encyclopedia
Related Issues
- Encephalitis National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
- Travelers’ Health: Meningococcal Disease Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Prevention and Risk Factors
- Haemophilus Influenzae Type b (Hib) Vaccine: What You Need to Know Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Use of Vaccines to Prevent Meningitis in Persons with Cochlear Implants Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Start Here
- Inflamed Brain: Recognizing Encephalitis and Meningitis National Institutes of Health
- Meningitis National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
Teenagers
- Meningitis Nemours Foundation
Children
- Meningitis (For Parents) Nemours Foundation
- Risk of Bacterial Meningitis in Children with Cochlear Implants Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Women
- Meningococcal Disease (Bacterial Meningitis) Vaccine and Pregnancy Organization of Teratology Information Specialists
Images
- Meningococcal Photos Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Find an Expert
- National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
Journal Articles
Statistics and Research
- Treating Meningitis American Academy of Neurology