Inflammation of Brain and Spinal Cord Membranes
Meningitis can be caused by viral, bacterial, or fungal infection or by brain trauma, cancer, or drugs. Viral meningitis is most often caused by an enterovirus. The mumps, measles, influenza, West Nile, and herpes viruses also can cause meningitis. Viral meningitis typically occurs in the summer and early fall, and is seen primarily in children and young adults. It usually is milder than other forms of meningitis and resolves on its own within a few weeks. In bacterial meningitis, a bacterium enters the meninges either directly from the bloodstream or from a sinus or ear infection or a skull trauma. Bacteria that cause meningitis include Neisseria meningitidis (meningococcal meningitis), Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcal meningitis), group B streptococcus (meningitis in newborns), Haemophilus influenzae type b, and Listeria.More »
