Types & Causes of meningitis

Bacterial

Bacterial meningitis

Bacterial meningitis needs rapid admission to hospital and urgent treatment with antibiotics
Meningococcal disease

Meningococcal disease is a term used to describe two major illnesses – meningitis and septicaemia* (blood poisoning) - which can occur on their own or more commonly, both together
Pneumococcal meningitis

Pneumococcal meningitis is a life-threatening infectious disease that causes inflammation of the layers that surround the brain and spinal cord
TB meningitis

TB (Tuberculous) meningitis is caused by the Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria
Group B streptococcal meningitis

Group B streptococcal meningitis (GBS) disease (meningitis, septicaemia and pneumonia) is the main cause of meningitis in babies
Neonatal meningitis

Neonatal meningitis is split into two groups: ‘early onset’ or ‘late onset’, depending on the time elapsed between birth and disease
E. coli meningitis

E. coli are the second most common bacterial cause of neonatal meningitis
Hib meningitis

Hib meningitis is a life-threatening infectious disease that causes inflammation of the layers that surround the brain and spinal cord
Listeria meningitis

Listeria bacteria, found in foods such as unpasteurised soft cheeses, pate and shellfish, can sometimes lead to serious and life-threatening problems including meningitis and septicaemia