What is the difference between viral and bacterial meningitis

In contrast, patients with viral meningitis often recover on their own within 7 to 10 days. Several germs can cause bacterial meningitis in different age groups. The most common causes of bacterial meningitis among various age groups include:. There were approximately 4, cases of bacterial meningitis, including deaths, recorded each year in the U.

Non-polio enteroviruses are the most common cause of viral meningitis in the U. Only a small number of those infected typically develop meningitis. Young children and those with weakened immune symptoms are at a higher risk of both bacterial and viral meningitis. However, both forms of the disease can develop in patients of any age. Bacterial meningitis carries several additional risk factors, including communal living conditions — such as a college dormitory or military barracks — and travel.

According to the CDC, destinations that carry a particularly high risk for contracting bacterial meningitis include the meningitis belt in sub-Saharan Africa, as well as the crowded conditions found at the Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca. Bacterial meningitis is contagious. Some bacteria can spread through the exchange of respiratory and throat secretions, including saliva, and thus is easily passed via kissing.

However, most of the bacteria that cause meningitis are less contagious than the common cold or flu. In addition, it cannot be spread through casual contact, or by merely breathing the air where a patient with bacterial meningitis has been.

Close contact with a patient with viral meningitis may result in the contraction of the offending virus. However, developing an illness as a complication of such contact is rare. The tough outer membrane is called the dura mater, and the delicate inner layer is the pia mater. The middle layer is the arachnoid, a weblike structure containing the fluid and blood vessels covering the surface of the brain.

Viral infections are the most common cause of meningitis, followed by bacterial infections and, rarely, fungal and parasitic infections. Because bacterial infections can be life-threatening, identifying the cause is essential. Bacteria that enter the bloodstream and travel to the brain and spinal cord cause acute bacterial meningitis.

But it can also occur when bacteria directly invade the meninges. This may be caused by an ear or sinus infection, a skull fracture, or — rarely — some surgeries. Viral meningitis is usually mild and often clears on its own.

Most cases in the United States are caused by a group of viruses known as enteroviruses, which are most common in late summer and early fall. Viruses such as herpes simplex virus, HIV , mumps virus, West Nile virus and others also can cause viral meningitis. Slow-growing organisms such as fungi and Mycobacterium tuberculosis that invade the membranes and fluid surrounding your brain cause chronic meningitis.

Chronic meningitis develops over two weeks or more. The signs and symptoms of chronic meningitis — headache, fever, vomiting and mental cloudiness — are similar to those of acute meningitis. Fungal meningitis is relatively uncommon in the United States. It may mimic acute bacterial meningitis. It's often contracted by breathing in fungal spores that may be found in soil, decaying wood and bird droppings.

Fungal meningitis isn't contagious from person to person. Cryptococcal meningitis is a common fungal form of the disease that affects people with immune deficiencies, such as AIDS. It's life-threatening if not treated with an antifungal medication. Even with treatment, fungal meningitis may recur. Parasites can cause a rare type of meningitis called eosinophilic meningitis.

Parasitic meningitis can also be caused by a tapeworm infection in the brain cysticercosis or cerebral malaria. Amoebic meningitis is a rare type that is sometimes contracted through swimming in fresh water and can quickly become life-threatening. The main parasites that cause meningitis typically infect animals. People are usually infected by eating foods contaminated with these parasites.

Parasitic meningitis isn't spread between people. Meningitis can also result from noninfectious causes, such as chemical reactions, drug allergies, some types of cancer and inflammatory diseases such as sarcoidosis.

Meningitis complications can be severe. The longer you or your child has the disease without treatment, the greater the risk of seizures and permanent neurological damage, including:. Common bacteria or viruses that can cause meningitis can spread through coughing, sneezing, kissing, or sharing eating utensils, a toothbrush or a cigarette.

Meningococcal conjugate vaccine. The CDC recommends that a single dose be given to children ages 11 to 12, with a booster shot given at age If the vaccine is first given between ages 13 and 15, the booster is recommended between ages 16 and Back to Meningitis. Viral meningitis is the most common and least serious type. Bacterial meningitis is rare, but can be very serious if not treated.

A number of meningitis vaccinations provide protection against many of the infections that can cause meningitis. The infection is usually spread by people who carry these viruses or bacteria in their nose or throat, but are not ill themselves.