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Kinds of Meningitis

Meningitis is a serious condition in which the meninges, cerebrospinal fluid around the spinal cord, and cerebrospinal fluid around the brain become infected. What most people don't realize is that there are several distinct and different types of meningitis.
It is important to know what the different types of meningitis are, because the impact on your health, as well as the available treatments, are considerably different. The four main types of meningitis are viral, bacterial, fungal and amoebic.

  1. Viral Meningitis

    • Viral meningitis is the least severe form of meningitis and is the most common. This type of meningitis can develop as a complication of another infection, such as polio, chickenpox or even mumps. It is also commonly caused by a virus known as echovirus or enterovirus--a virus that is usually found in the intestines and can make your body more susceptible to other opportunistic diseases.

    Bacterial Meningitis

    • There are six different types of bacterial meningitis.
      Meningococcal meningitis is one of the most common forms and is often caused by bacteria living in the throat, nose and upper respiratory tract. Up to 25 percent of the population can carry this type of bacteria without becoming infected with the disease.
      Meningococcal septicemia is a form of meningitis that enters the body through the bloodstream. Once there, the bacteria begin to multiply and release toxins. Approximately 20 percent of people who contract this type of meningitis die.
      Pneumococcal meningitis can be caused by the bacteria that cause pneumonia and strep. Men, women and children of all ages are susceptible to this disease, especially if they have weakened immune systems.
      Hib meningitis is often caused by a specific strain of influenza known as Haemophilus influenza type B. It is more often found in infants.
      TB meningitis is caused by the bacteria known as bacillus tubercle. This type of meningitis, which affects the lungs and bloodstream, is common among people who already have some strain of TB.
      Neonatal meningitis is the most common form of meningitis afflicting newborns. The bacteria known as escherichia coli and B streptococcal are known to cause this infection, which attacks premature babies more than any other infant group.

    Fungal Meningitis

    • Cases of fungal meningitis are extremely rare. This form of meningitis is caused by a fungus known as Crytptococcus. Patients who suffer from leukemia and AIDS are more susceptible to this strain of meningitis than anyone else. In the U.S., 85 percent of cases of fungal meningitis occur in people who are HIV-positive.

    Amoebic Meningitis

    • While amoebic meningitis is the most rare form of meningitis, it is also the most deadly. Amoeba living in geothermal pools (commonly referred to as hot springs) or in stagnant pools of water are responsible for causing these infections.

    Diagnosis and Treatment

    • Make sure you seek the aid of a medical professional if you suspect that you or someone you know may be at risk for meningitis. The faster your illness is diagnosed the higher your likelihood of a full and healthy recovery. Bacterial forms of the disease can be treated with antibiotics, which, if started early, greatly cut down on mortality.

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