What is the deadliest type of meningitis?

There are three basic kinds of meningitis: viral, bacterial, and fungal. Of these three, viral meningitis is the most common, but bacterial is the most dangerous.

Which is more severe bacterial meningitis or viral meningitis?

Meningitis caused by viruses is serious but often is less severe than bacterial meningitis. People with normal immune systems who get viral meningitis usually get better on their own.

What are the 5 types of meningitis?

There are actually five types of meningitis — bacterial, viral, parasitic, fungal, and non-infectious — each classified by the cause of the disease.

Which is worse bacterial or viral meningitis and should you be worried?

Initial symptoms of viral meningitis are similar to those for bacterial meningitis. However, bacterial meningitis is usually severe and can cause serious complications, such as brain damage, hearing loss, or learning disabilities.

What is the survival rate of bacterial meningitis?

Prognosis of meningitis depends on the cause. Untreated bacterial meningitis has a very high death rate. Even with appropriate treatment, the death rate from bacterial meningitis is about 15-20%, with a higher death rate associated with increasing age.

What are the 3 types of meningitis?

Types of meningitis
  • Viral meningitis. Viral meningitis is the most common type of meningitis. …
  • Bacterial meningitis. Bacterial meningitis is contagious and caused by infection from certain bacteria. …
  • Fungal meningitis. Fungal meningitis is a rare type of meningitis. …
  • Parasitic meningitis. …
  • Non-infectious meningitis.

How bad is meningitis?

Meningitis can be very serious if not treated quickly. It can cause life-threatening blood poisoning (septicaemia) and result in permanent damage to the brain or nerves. A number of vaccinations are available that offer some protection against meningitis.

How do u catch meningitis?

Common bacteria or viruses that can cause meningitis can spread through coughing, sneezing, kissing, or sharing eating utensils, a toothbrush or a cigarette. These steps can help prevent meningitis: Wash your hands. Careful hand-washing helps prevent the spread of germs.

Why is bacterial meningitis so serious?

Bacterial meningitis can be life threatening. The infection can cause the tissues around the brain to swell. This in turn interferes with blood flow and can result in paralysis or even stroke.

Can a person survive meningitis?

Some people with the infection die and death can occur in as little as a few hours. However, most people recover from bacterial meningitis. Those who do recover can have permanent disabilities, such as brain damage, hearing loss, and learning disabilities.

Can meningitis cause permanent brain damage?

With quick treatment, many people with bacterial meningitis don’t have any permanent problems. However, even with prompt treatment, some may battle seizures, brain damage, hearing loss, and disability for the rest of their lives. Meningitis can be fatal and some people with this infection will die.

How serious is meningitis in adults?

Meningitis is a potentially life-threatening infection of the meninges, the tough layer of tissue that surrounds the brain and the spinal cord. If not treated, meningitis can lead to brain swelling and cause permanent disability, coma, and even death.

Who is generally at highest risk for meningitis Why?

Anyone can get meningococcal disease, but rates of disease are highest in children younger than 1 year old, with a second peak in adolescence. Among teens and young adults, those 16 through 23 years old have the highest rates of meningococcal disease.

Can you catch meningitis twice?

The infection can also be spread by someone with meningitis, although this is less common. It’s possible to get meningitis more than once.

Is meningitis inherited?

Historically, there have been dreadful meningitis epidemics, but be assured that it never is a hereditary disease. Different forms of relatively common meningitis can be caused either by viruses or bacteria.

What is the probability of getting meningitis?

Am I at Risk? The risk of getting the disease is very low. Although meningococcal disease is infectious and can cause outbreaks, 97 out of every 100 cases are isolated, with no link to any other cases.

What puts you at risk for meningitis?

Risk factors for meningitis include the following: Extremes of age (< 5 or >60 years) Diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney failure, adrenal insufficiency, hypoparathyroidism, or cystic fibrosis. Immunosuppression, which increases the risk of opportunistic infections and acute bacterial meningitis.

What are the two types of meningitis?

Viral meningitis is the most common type of meningitis, followed by bacterial meningitis. Rarer types of meningitis include chemical and fungal meningitis. The most common types of bacterial meningitis are meningococcal, pneumococcal, TB, group B streptococcal and E.