Most people with bacterial meningitis also recover, but it can become very serious and even life threatening. Many people with mild viral meningitis recover without medical treatment within 7–10 days.Īfter recovering from viral meningitis, some people experience lingering symptoms, such as headaches, fatigue, problems with attention, short-term memory loss, and unexplained anxiety for a period of time. In most cases, viral meningitis is not life-threatening and does not result in serious or permanent ill health. This is because bacterial meningitis is more serious and requires medication, while viral meningitis often gets better on its own. If it is unclear whether a person has bacterial or viral meningitis, the doctor may treat for bacterial meningitis, just in case. Higher protein and lower glucose levels in CSF can also point to bacterial meningitis, as can procalcitonin in the blood. For example, a high white blood cell count can indicate bacterial meningitis. Often, it is not possible to identify a specific pathogen from CSF, so the doctor needs to look at other test results to make a diagnosis. The doctor will also consider whether the person is taking any medications or has any health conditions that may cause meningitis. cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), which comes from near the spinal cord.Sometimes, the lab can also identify the type of virus or bacteria.Ī healthcare professional may take samples of: This helps determine whether the person has a bacterial or viral infection. bulging of the soft spot on the front of the headĭoctors diagnose meningitis by taking different samples of fluid and sending them to a laboratory for analysis.In babies and newborns, viral and bacterial meningitis may cause: In this case, the rash is “nonblanching,” and it can signal that the meningitis is serious. Typically, these marks do not disappear when a person presses a glass to them. The rash may instead resemble bruising, with areas of reddish or purplish discoloration. meningitidis, and it consists of tiny dots that look like pin pricks. The most well-known meningitis rash is caused by N. If this develops, its appearance can depend on the specific virus or bacterium that is causing the infection. an altered mental state, such as confusionĮither type of meningitis can cause a rash.Bacterial meningitis is potentially life threatening, so anyone with any symptoms of meningitis should receive immediate medical care. Because of this, it is essential not to try and self-diagnose. The symptoms of viral and bacterial meningitis are very similar. noninfectious meningitis, which is linked with some types of cancer, lupus, medications, brain surgery, or head injuries.amebic meningitis, which stems from infection with Naegleria fowleri, an ameba in soil and warm water.In the U.S., this type of meningitis is most commonly associated with these bacteria: ![]() It occurs when bacteria infect the brain or spinal cord. Children under 5 years old and people with weakened immune systems have the highest risk.īacterial meningitis is less common than viral meningitis. Only a small number of people who contract these viruses develop meningitis as a result.
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