What is meningitis? Types and causes

There are many different causes of meningitis, but the two most common organisms are viruses and bacteria. 

• Viral meningitis is usually a mild disease, but it can make people very unwell. Many thousands of cases occur each year, mostly affecting babies and children. Although most people will make a full recovery, some are left with serious and debilitating after-effects.
• Bacterial meningitis can be life-threatening and needs urgent medical attention. Most people who suffer from bacterial meningitis recover, but many can be left with a variety of after-effects and one in 10 will die.
• The main bacteria that cause meningitis in the UK are Meningococcal, Pneumococcal, TB and Hib.
• Neonatal meningitis occurs in babies under one month old. Other causes of meningitis are all serious and need medical attention.
• Fungal meningitis is rare and usually caused by the spread of a fungus through blood to the spinal cord.

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Want to know more about meningitis?

If so, you can speak to experienced staff on our freephone helpline, available 24-hours a day: 0808 80 10 388, or you can email us at helpline@meningitis-trust.org and we will come back to you as soon as we can.

You can also download one of our free leaflets or fact sheets.

Fact sheets

 Meningococcal disease – the facts
Pneumococcal meningitis– the facts
Meningitis vaccines – the facts
Tuberculous (TB) meningitis – the facts
Viral meningitis – the facts
Neonatal meningitis - the facts
Learning and development concerns after meningitis and meningococcal septicaemia
Benefits fact sheet
Grants fact sheet
Complementary therapies fact sheet
Meningitis Trust Support services fact sheet