Outlook

The prognosis for meningitis depends on the exact cause and severity of infection. At the time of initial treatment and diagnosis, a doctor is unable to tell a person the exact prognosis and possible recovery outlook.

• Bacterial meningitis can rapidly progress within hours and end in death despite the most advanced medical care. If a child survives a severe case of bacterial meningitis, the child may have long-term disabilities, including visual troubles, hearing difficulty, seizures, paralysis, and decreased mental function.
  
  
• In very mild cases of bacterial meningitis that are treated early, a child may completely recover over the course of a few weeks with rehabilitation.
  
  
• Viral meningitis tends to be a much less severe infection and normally can be treated at home on an outpatient basis. Most children with viral meningitis get better within 2 weeks.