Can you catch meningitis

Bacteria that enter the bloodstream and travel to the brain and spinal cord cause acute bacterial meningitis. But it can also occur when bacteria directly invade the meninges. This may be caused by an ear or sinus infection, a skull fracture, or — rarely — some surgeries.

Viral meningitis is usually mild and often clears on its own. Most cases in the United States are caused by a group of viruses known as enteroviruses, which are most common in late summer and early fall.

Viruses such as herpes simplex virus, HIV , mumps virus, West Nile virus and others also can cause viral meningitis. Slow-growing organisms such as fungi and Mycobacterium tuberculosis that invade the membranes and fluid surrounding your brain cause chronic meningitis. Chronic meningitis develops over two weeks or more.

The signs and symptoms of chronic meningitis — headache, fever, vomiting and mental cloudiness — are similar to those of acute meningitis. Fungal meningitis is relatively uncommon in the United States. It may mimic acute bacterial meningitis.

It's often contracted by breathing in fungal spores that may be found in soil, decaying wood and bird droppings. Fungal meningitis isn't contagious from person to person. Cryptococcal meningitis is a common fungal form of the disease that affects people with immune deficiencies, such as AIDS. It's life-threatening if not treated with an antifungal medication. Even with treatment, fungal meningitis may recur.

Parasites can cause a rare type of meningitis called eosinophilic meningitis. Parasitic meningitis can also be caused by a tapeworm infection in the brain cysticercosis or cerebral malaria. Amoebic meningitis is a rare type that is sometimes contracted through swimming in fresh water and can quickly become life-threatening. The main parasites that cause meningitis typically infect animals. People are usually infected by eating foods contaminated with these parasites.

Parasitic meningitis isn't spread between people. Meningitis can also result from noninfectious causes, such as chemical reactions, drug allergies, some types of cancer and inflammatory diseases such as sarcoidosis. Meningitis complications can be severe. The longer you or your child has the disease without treatment, the greater the risk of seizures and permanent neurological damage, including:.

Learn how to the spot the early signs and symptoms of an…. There are important differences between viral, fungal, and bacterial meningitis, in terms of their severity, how common they are, and the way they are…. Meningitis occurs when the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord become inflamed. This is normally caused by infection but can also have….

Although recommended for college students, the meningococcal vaccine is also recommended for all young people and individuals with certain medical…. Meningitis B is a very serious disease that can progresses quickly.

Learn about this vaccine, including its effectiveness, how it works, and who…. Carcinomatous meningitis is a complication of late stage cancer. It develops when cancer cells spread to your brain or spinal cord from other parts of…. Meningitis B is a rare and potentially deadly type of bacterial meningitis.

Learn all about meningitis B, including symptoms to look for and how to…. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Pictures Symptoms Causes Prevention Why prevention matters Outlook Overview Meningitis is the inflammation of the membranes that outline your brain and spinal cord. Pictures of bacterial meningitis. What are the symptoms? However, some people have a higher risk of getting the disease, including:. Babies younger than 1 month old and people with weakened immune systems are also more likely to have severe illness.

Close contacts of someone with viral meningitis can become infected with the virus that made that person sick. However, these close contacts are not likely to develop meningitis. Only a small number of people who get infected with the viruses that cause meningitis will develop viral meningitis. Viruses that can cause meningitis spread in different ways. 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.

The pathogens germs that cause bacterial meningitis can also be associated with another serious illness, sepsis. Without timely treatment, sepsis can quickly lead to tissue damage, organ failure, and death. See a doctor right away if you think you or your child might have meningitis. Anyone can be affected by meningitis and septicaemia, but there are certain factors which may put you at greater risk.

These include being a certain age , and over 65 , living environment, exposure to passive smoking, mass gatherings and immune system problems. Meningitis and septicaemia often happen together. Be aware of all the signs and symptoms. There are many different causes of meningitis, but the two most common organisms are viruses and bacteria.