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Home >> Meningitis >> Types Of Meningitis

Types of meningitis

Meningitis is mainly caused by bacteria and viruses, with some rare cases due to fungi or amoebae. Bacterial meningitis is the more serious, life-threatening form; while viral meningitis is usually not life-threatening and most people make a full recovery.

Bacterial meningitis

Bacterial meningitis is usually more serious than other forms. At least 50 types of bacteria can cause meningitis, with the main types described below.

Meningococcal

Meningococcal infection is one of the most common causes of bacterial meningitis throughout the world. Meningitis and septicaemia can have different sets of symptoms, but in industrialised countries most people who are infected with meningococcal bacteria have symptoms of both. In contrast in areas of Africa where serogroup A epidemics are common the disease presents as meningitis only. When septicaemia occurs without meningitis it is more life-threatening, however, meningitis alone, as seen in Africa, can lead to significant morbidity and mortality.

To read more about meningococcal bacteria, click here.

Pneumococcal

Pneumococcal bacteria are quite commonly carried by the population, and are more likely to cause earache, pneumonia and other illnesses that are less serious than meningitis. Pneumococcal meningitis is not considered to be contagious and is not often accompanied by septicaemia. The rash typical of meningococcal disease is not normally seen with pneumococcal infection.

Most cases of pneumococcal meningitis are in children under two years old, adults with conditions that affect their immune system and the elderly.

To learn more about pneumococcal bacteria, click here.


Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)

This used to be the most common type of meningitis in children under five in many countries. Since the introduction of the Hib vaccine in the UK in 1992, cases have dropped by more than 90%. Hib meningitis is now rare in countries that use the vaccine, but is still a major problem in countries that do not.

To read more about Hib, click here.

Group B streptococcal (GBS)

This is the main cause of meningitis in newborn babies. GBS bacteria can cause septicaemia, meningitis and pneumonia. Up to 90% of babies who get this disease survive and a recent study found that half of those who recovered from GBS disease had no significant long-term effects. GBS bacteria are carried by at least 30% of people and are usually harmless.

To read more about GBS, click here.

Escherichia coli

Certain strains of these bacteria can cause meningitis, especially in newborn babies, and people of any age who have particular health problems. It is a much more widespread cause of meningitis infections in developing countries.

To read more about E. coli, click here.

Listeria

This is an uncommon cause of meningitis, occurring mainly in babies, elderly people and those with weakened immune systems. There are fewer cases now than in previous years because of increased awareness of foods that can cause listeriosis in pregnant women and other vulnerable individuals.

To read more about listeria, click here

Tubercular (TB)

This is a form of meningitis caused by the tuberculosis bacteria and is comparatively rare in the UK. Most patients who have TB meningitis have tuberculosis of the lungs or elsewhere. This type of meningitis does not come on suddenly like typical bacterial meningitis. TB meningitis develops slowly, making it more difficult to diagnose.

To read more about TB meningitis, click here.

Viral meningitis

This type of meningitis infection is usually relatively mild, with symptoms of headache, fever and general ill feeling, although some serious symptoms of meningitis may occur. Since people with viral meningitis often recover without medical treatment, it is difficult to be certain how common it actually is.

To read more about viral meningitis, click here.

Fungal meningitis

Fungal meningitis is quite rare. It mainly affects people with immune deficiencies.

To read more about fungal meningitis, click here.

Rarer types

There are other rare causes of meningitis. Among these very unusual types is meningitis caused by salmonella bacteria, which affects mostly newborn babies and immunodeficient adults.

To read more about rarer types of meningitis, click here.


This content was provided by the Meningitis Research Foundation with support from Novartis Vaccines.