Meningitis in Adults

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Medical Author:

Robert Kacprowicz, MD, FAAEM

Robert Kacprowicz, MD, FAAEM

Robert Kacprowicz, MD, FAAEM, is board-certified in emergency medicine by the American Board of Emergency Medicine. Dr. Kacprowicz's educational background includes a BS in biology from the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

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Medical Editor:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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• Meningitis in Adults Overview
• Adult Meningitis Causes
• Adult Meningitis Symptoms and Signs
• When to Seek Medical Care
• Meningitis in Adults Diagnosis
• Adult Meningitis Treatment
• Self-Care at Home
• Medical Treatment
• Meningitis in Adults Prevention
• Vaccinations
• Meningitis in Adults Prognosis
• For More Information
• Web Links
• Synonyms and Keywords
• Authors and Editors
• Read more on Meningitis in Adults from Healthwise
• Viewer Comments: Meningitis in Adults - Symptoms

Meningitis in Adults Overview

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.

Meningitis can be caused by a variety of things, including bacteria (the most serious), viruses, fungi, reactions to medications, and environmental toxins such as heavy metals. Although bacterial and fungal meningitis require extended hospitalization, meningitis caused by viruses can often be treated at home and has a much better outcome.

• Bacterial meningitis



• The most serious form of meningitis, bacterial meningitis, occurs in about 3,000-5,000 people in the United States every year.



• Approximately 20%-25% of the time, even with treatment, bacterial meningitis can be fatal. If bacterial meningitis progresses rapidly, in 24 hours or less, death may occur in more than half of those who develop it, even with proper medical treatment.



• Viral meningitis



• Determining how many people get viral meningitis is difficult because it often remains undiagnosed and is easily confused with the flu.



• The prognosis for viral meningitis is much better than that for bacterial meningitis, with most people recovering completely with simple treatment of the symptoms. Because antibiotics do not help viral infections, they are not useful in the treatment of viral meningitis.