What is bacterial meningitis?

Meningitis is a disorder where the meninges, a thin tissue surrounding the brain and spinal cord, become inflamed. Bacterial meningitis is a rare form of the illness that can lead to serious complications like hearing loss, a stroke, or brain damage.
Bacterial meningitis can also damage other organs in your body. There’s still a lot that researchers are learning about the causes of bacterial meningitis.
Anyone can contract bacterial meningitis. Without timely medical intervention, bacterial meningitis can result in severe complications and even death. Early treatment is crucial.
People who may have an increased risk of contracting bacterial meningitis include:
- Babies
- People who gather in large groups, like college students
- Individuals diagnosed with certain medical conditions
- People taking specific types of medication
- People who have recently undergone specific medical procedures
- Those who work with pathogens that can cause meningitis
- Individuals who travel to high-risk places like sub-Saharan Africa
Bacterial meningitis spreads from person to person contact. You can also get bacterial meningitis by eating food contaminated by certain germs.
Signs of bacterial meningitis
Bacterial meningitis symptoms can appear immediately or take several days to develop. Most people end up showing signs of bacterial meningitis within three to seven days after exposure to a bacterium. Initial symptoms of meningitis in adults typically include:
- Fever
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Headache
- Photophobia (when eyes are sensitive to light)
- Stiffness in the neck
- Confusion and sleepiness
- Bruising
- Skin rash
Babies infected with bacterial meningitis may show symptoms like:
- Slowness or lack of activity
- Vomiting
- Irritability
- Head swelling
- Constant crying
- Poor feeding habits
Infants may also have a bulging soft spot on their head or exhibit abnormal reflexes. As the disease progresses, those infected can end up having seizures or falling into a coma if they do not receive treatment.
Causes of bacterial meningitis
Bacterial meningitis is caused by exposure to certain bacteria, including:
- E. coli
- Streptococcus pneumoniae
- Neisseria meningitidis
- Listeria monocytogenes
- Haemophilus influenzae type B
Doctors disagree about why some people contract bacterial meningitis after exposure to these bacteria while others don’t. Individuals can carry these germs on their bodies without ever getting ill and act as carriers who spread the disease to others.

SLIDESHOW
Bacterial Infections 101: Types, Symptoms, and Treatments See SlideshowWhen to see the doctor for bacterial meningitis
Seek a doctor’s help if you have symptoms of the flu accompanied by neck stiffness or if you experience a sudden high fever or a severe headache.
You should also contact your physician if you or a family member have recently been exposed to someone with bacterial meningitis.
Children under the age of one are more at risk for exposure to bacterial meningitis. Teenagers and young adults between the ages of 16 and 21 are also at a higher risk for encountering one of the bacteria that causes bacterial meningitis.
There is a vaccine available to help prevent bacterial meningitis. Most children should receive this vaccine between age 11 and 12 and then receive a second booster shot at 16.
You should check with your child’s doctor if you have questions about vaccinating yourself or your children. None of the available vaccines for bacterial meningitis are 100% effective. They do not offer protection against every kind of bacteria that can cause the condition.
Pregnant women should also seek advice from a doctor about getting tested for bacterial meningitis when they are 36 or 37 weeks pregnant. If a pregnant woman tests positive for bacterial meningitis, a doctor can give her antibiotics while she is in labor to prevent her from passing bacterial meningitis to her baby.
Health News
- Attachment Theory: What It Is, Stages & the Different Attachment Styles
- Gentle Parenting: What It Is, Techniques & Discipline
- U.S. Nursing Homes Fail to Report Many Serious Falls, Bedsores: Study
- The Younger You Get Diabetes, the Higher Your Risk for Dementia Later
- FDA Grants Full Approval to Paxlovid to Treat COVID-19
More Health News »
Diagnosing bacterial meningitis
If your doctor suspects that you have bacterial meningitis, they will typically perform a lumbar puncture, or spinal tap, to collect a sample of the fluid around your spinal cord. They will then send the sample to a lab to confirm the presence of bacteria that can cause bacterial meningitis.
Your doctor will also ask you about your symptoms and perform a physical exam to better understand your current medical condition. They may also request additional diagnostic tests to confirm a bacterial meningitis diagnosis, including:
- Blood tests
- Urine tests (urinalysis)
- Fluid swabs from your nose or throat
Treatments for bacterial meningitis
- Doctors typically use antibiotics to treat bacterial meningitis infections. The antibiotics are given intravenously (into your vein) through a needle placed in your hand or arm.
- Your doctor may also give you a medication called a corticosteroid to relieve symptoms of swelling and inflammation. Treatment also includes giving you plenty of fluids to keep you from becoming dehydrated.
- Your chances of surviving bacterial meningitis increase by getting early treatment.
- There is a vaccine available to help prevent bacterial meningitis. Most children should receive this vaccine between age 11 and 12 and then receive a second booster shot at 16.
- None of the available vaccines for bacterial meningitis are 100% effective. They do not offer protection against every kind of bacteria that can cause the condition.
Health Solutions From Our Sponsors
Johns Hopkins Medicine: "Bacterial Meningitis."
MedlinePlus: "Meningitis."
Top How Do You Get Bacterial Meningitis Related Articles
Brain Foods Slideshow
Learn how to increase concentration and boost memory. Brain foods such as fish (omega 3 fatty acids), berries, fruits, nuts, chocolate, vitamins and more can help.What Is Enterovirus (Non-Polio Enterovirus Infection)?
Non-polio enteroviruses cause a variety of infections, including aseptic meningitis, hand, foot, and mouth disease, herpangina, and the common cold. Symptoms and signs of enterovirus infection include hypoxia, eye pain, shortness of breath, chest pain, and fever. Treatment involves supportive care to reduce symptoms.How Conditions Change Your Brain
The brain doesn’t always stay the same. Mental disorders, health issues, and lifestyle habits can alter the way it looks and works.How Is a Lumbar Puncture Procedure Done?
In a lumbar puncture (LP) procedure, or spinal tap, a hollow needle is inserted near the spinal cord to collect a small amount of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), which can then help diagnose infections (meningitis), hemorrhage, multiple sclerosis, and tumors.How Long Does the Meningitis Vaccine Last?
Learn how the meningitis vaccine works and how long it is effective.How Quickly Does Meningitis Progress?
Meningitis is an infection of the meninges or coverings of the brain. This serious illness can progress very quickly and have lifelong consequences. So, it is important to get medical attention as soon as possible. The most frequent cause of meningitis is a viral or bacterial infection. Rarely, a fungus can cause it.Mono (Infectious Mononucleosis)
Infectious mononucleosis is a virus infection in which there is an increase of white blood cells that are mononuclear (with a single nucleus) "Mono" and "kissing disease" are popular terms for this very common illness caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV).Is Meningitis Contagious?
Meningitis, inflammation of the meninges, symptoms and signs include neck stiffness, headache, and fever. There are five types of meningitis: viral, bacterial, fungal, parasitic, and noninfectious.Is Pus a Sign of Infection? What Causes It?
Learn about pus and what to do if a wound gets infected and contains pus. Bacteria are microbes that are invisible to the naked eye because of their size. You can observe them under a microscope.Meningitis
Meningitis is inflammation of the membranes that cover the spinal cord and brain. Symptoms include fever, headache, and a stiff neck. Treatment of meningitis depends upon the cause of the infection and may include antibiotics or antiviral medications.Meningitis Quiz
What is meningitis and what causes it? Take our Meningitis Quiz to learn the causes, symptoms, treatments, and complications of this potentially life-threatening disease.What Are the 3 Types of Meningitis?
Meningitis is a serious condition that needs medical attention. Learn about the 3 types of meningitis, what causes meningitis, how doctors diagnose meningitis, and how meningitis is treated.Which Is More Serious: Encephalitis or Meningitis?
What is the difference between encephalitis and meningitis?