Without treatment, bacterial meningitis can cause severe brain damage and is potentially life-threatening. The main viruses that can cause meningitis are:īacterial meningitis is less common than viral meningitis, but is more serious and is treated as a medical emergency. This form of meningitis is most prevalent in children, though it can affect a person of any age, and it is more widespread during the summer and autumn. This makes the number of cases hard to estimate. Cases of viral meningitis are usually less serious and symptoms can be so mild that they are mistaken for flu. Viral meningitis, also known as viral meningo-encephalitis, is the most common form of meningitis. There are other possible causes, such as infection by a fungus, but they are very rare. Meningitis is usually the result of an infection caused by bacteria or a virus.
If the rash doesn’t fade or disappear then this is thought to be a sign of meningitis.Īlthough this test is sometimes recommended by health professionals and organisations, if you are worried about someone who is ill and you suspect they may have meningitis, do not wait for a rash to appear before you seek medical advice. neck stiffness (if you have moderate to severe meningitis, you will not be able to touch your chest with your chin)Ī commonly known test for meningitis and septicaemia, involves pressing a glass tumbler (a drinking glass) on a person’s rash to see if it disappears under the pressure or not.sensitivity to bright light (photophobia).a rash of either small red / purple spots or large purple / black bruises that does not whiten or disappear when pressed (a simple test is to press a glass against the rash, as described below).In more serious cases of meningitis, after the initial symptoms you might experience: If you have a mild case of viral meningitis you might only experience these flu-like symptoms before beginning to recover. You might also experience feeling sick (nausea), being sick (vomiting), diarrhoea, and other symptoms such as a sore throat. The initial symptoms of meningitis can be similar to the symptoms of flu and include: Pia mater – delicate innermost membrane.
Meningitis and septicaemia together are sometimes referred to as meningococcal disease. In cases of bacterial meningitis, if the bacterial infection also enters the bloodstream then a person can develop septicaemia (blood poisoning). The inflammation can cause damage to the brain and spinal cord if it is not treated appropriately. Meningitis can be caused by viral, bacterial and fungal infections, as well as by reactions to certain drugs and by chemical irritation of the membranes. Meningitis is inflammation of the protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord, known as the meninges.
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You can download this fact sheet to view offline or print by clicking the link below. Our Helpline team are also here to answer your questions and provide practical and emotional support. You should contact one of the organisations in the Useful Contacts section for information on meningitis in children. Please note that this fact sheet focuses on meningitis in adults. You should speak with your doctor or specialist for individual advice. There are different types of meningitis and each person is affected differently. Sources of further support and more detailed information are listed in the Useful Contacts section. Our fact sheets are designed as general introductions to each subject and are intended to be concise. This fact sheet provides information on meningitis. Healthcare professionals Expand dropdown.
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