Bacterial
Learn more about the different bacteria that can cause meningitis.
Meningococcal disease
Meningococcal disease is a life-threatening infection. 'Meningococcal disease' is used to describe two major illnesses – meningitis and septicaemia (blood poisoning). These can happen on their own, or more commonly, both together. Meningococcal disease can strike at any age, but most cases happen in babies and young children. The next at risk group is teenagers and young adults.
Most people do get better but meningococcal disease needs urgent medical attention. About 7% of people will die and around 15% are left with serious and disabling after-effects.
For more information, download our meningococcal disease fact sheet here.
Pneumococcal
Pneumococcal meningitis is a life-threatening infection that needs urgent medical attention. Many people do get better but around 20% will die and 25% will be left with serious and disabling after-effects.
For more information, download our pneumococcal meningitis fact sheet here.
Tuberculous (TB)
The bacteria that cause tuberculosis (TB) usually infect the lungs, but in a small number of people they can also cause meningitis. TB meningitis develops more slowly than other bacterial forms of the disease and it can be difficult to recognise and treat.
For more information, download our TB meningitis fact sheet here.
Hib
Hib meningitis is caused by the bacterium Haemophilus influenzae type b.
In the UK and Ireland there has been a Hib vaccine given to babies since 1992. This has massively reduced the number of cases, making this type of meningitis rare.
Neonatal
Neonatal meningitis is the general name used for meningitis that affects newborn babies. The most common causes of neonatal meningitis are group B streptococcus (streptococcus agalactiae) and E. coli bacteria. Although these types of meningitis are rare, the death rate can be as high as 20%. The risks are higher for babies born early and those born after a long or difficult labour.
Viral
Many different viruses can cause meningitis. Viral meningitis is more common than the bacterial type, but usually less serious. In mild cases of viral meningitis people may not even see their doctor because they think they have the flu. In more serious cases, signs and symptoms can be similar to bacterial types of the disease and people will need to stay in hospital.
For more information, download our viral meningitis fact sheet here.
Fungal
Some fungi can cause meningitis, but this type of the disease is very rare. It usually happens when the immune system has been affected by disease, e.g. HIV infection or by drug therapy. Fungal meningitis often develops slowly and can be difficult to diagnose and treat. Cryptococcus neoformans and Candida albicans are examples of fungi that can cause meningitis.