Meningitis
Meningitis
Fact Sheet (PDF 19 KB)
Meningitis is an inflammation of the tissues that cover the brain and
spinal cord.
The inflammation is caused when either bacteria or viruses gain
entrance into the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
Bacterial Meningitis
Most often, bacterial meningitis is caused by Niesseria meningitidis
or Streptococcus pneumoniae and less often by Haemophilus influenzae.
Bacterial meningitis can progress rapidly and may cause death. Early
diagnosis and treatment is extremely important and can improve the
patient’s outcome.
Viral (Aseptic) Meningitis
Viral meningitis is most often caused by a member of a group of
viruses known as enteroviruses. Although viral meningitis is a severe
illness, it rarely causes death.
In the United States, there are between 25,000 and 50,000
hospitalizations due to viral meningitis each year.
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