Meningitis
Last Updated: July 3, 2026
Key Points
- Infection of membranes around brain and spinal cord
- Can be life-threatening if not treated quickly
- Most common in young people
- Vaccinations offer protection
- Seek urgent medical help for symptoms
Overview
Meningitis is an infection affecting the meninges, which are the protective membranes that surround your brain and spinal cord. It can affect anyone, but is most frequently seen in babies, young children, teenagers, and young adults. This condition can be very serious if not treated promptly, potentially leading to life-threatening sepsis or permanent damage to the brain or nerves. It is typically caused by either a bacterial or viral infection. While bacterial meningitis is rarer and more severe, requiring hospital treatment, viral meningitis often improves on its own within 7 to 10 days. Vaccinations are available to provide some protection against certain types of meningitis.
Signs and Symptoms
- High temperature (fever)
- Being sick
- Diarrhoea
- Headache
- Rash (may not always develop)
- Stiff neck
- Dislike of bright lights
- Drowsiness or unresponsiveness
- Seizures (fits)
Things That Increase the Risk
- Being a baby, young child, teenager, or young adult
- Close contact with an infected person's spit
- Sharing drinks or vapes
- Living in close quarters with carriers
- Lack of specific vaccinations
Diagnosis
- Hospital tests to confirm diagnosis
- Identifying if infection is viral or bacterial
Treatment & Management
- Bacterial meningitis requires hospital treatment
- Intravenous (IV) antibiotics for bacterial type
- IV fluids for bacterial type
- Oxygen therapy for bacterial type
- Viral meningitis often resolves on its own
- Rest, painkillers, and anti-sickness medication for viral type
Prevention
- MenB vaccine for babies
- 6-in-1 vaccine for children
- Pneumococcal vaccine for babies and older adults
- MMRV vaccine for children
- MenACWY vaccine for teenagers and university students
- Avoiding sharing personal items like drinks or vapes
- Practicing good personal hygiene
Available Treatments
Explore our range of treatment options for Meningitis:
Surgical Options
Learn about surgical procedures available for Meningitis:
Contents
Quick Info
Affects
Brain and spinal cord membranes
Prevalence
Most common in young people
Diagnosis
Hospital tests, identifying type
Treatment
Antibiotics (bacterial), supportive care (viral)
Medically Reviewed
Dr. Vijay Bhat
Orthopedic Surgeon · Apollo Hospitals, Chennai
Reviewed on July 3, 2026
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