Difference Between Bacterial and Viral Meningitis

Meningitis is an infection of the tissues covering the brain and spinal cord (meninges). Viral meningitis is an infection caused by viruses and bacterial meningitis is an infection caused by bacteria.

1. How do you tell the difference between viral and bacterial meningitis?
2. Which is Better viral or bacterial meningitis?
3. Which is worse viral meningitis or bacterial meningitis?
4. Is bacterial or viral meningitis more contagious?
5. What are the 5 types of meningitis?
6. Should patients with viral meningitis be isolated?
7. What are the 3 types of meningitis?
8. How long does viral meningitis last?
9. Does viral meningitis weaken your immune system?
10. What is the drug of choice for bacterial meningitis?
11. How did I get viral meningitis?
12. How do adults get meningitis?

How do you tell the difference between viral and bacterial meningitis?

The clues that the doctor uses are the levels of white cells, protein and glucose in the CSF. Typically in bacterial meningitis the white cell count is much higher than in viral meningitis (and is a different type of white cell), the protein is much higher and the glucose is much lower than in viral meningitis.

Which is Better viral or bacterial meningitis?

Meningitis caused by viruses is serious but often is less severe than bacterial meningitis. People with normal immune systems who get viral meningitis usually get better on their own.

Which is worse viral meningitis or bacterial meningitis?

Viral meningitis is the more common and less serious form -- it usually clears up on its own in seven to 10 days. Bacterial meningitis is much more dangerous and can be fatal if not treated quickly with antibiotics. Most cases are caused by three different types of bacteria.

Is bacterial or viral meningitis more contagious?

Bacterial meningitis is usually less contagious than viral; depending on the bacterial genus causing the infection, it may be contagious during the incubation period and for about an additional seven to 14 days. And they can be contagious for much longer (many days to months) if the person becomes a carrier.

What are the 5 types of meningitis?

There are actually five types of meningitis — bacterial, viral, parasitic, fungal, and non-infectious — each classified by the cause of the disease.

Should patients with viral meningitis be isolated?

Should a person with viral meningitis be isolated? Strict isolation is not necessary. Since most cases are due to enteroviruses that may be passed in the stool, people diagnosed with viral meningitis should be instructed to thoroughly wash their hands after using the toilet.

What are the 3 types of meningitis?

Types of meningitis

• Viral meningitis. Viral meningitis is the most common type of meningitis. ...
• Bacterial meningitis. Bacterial meningitis is contagious and caused by infection from certain bacteria. ...
• Fungal meningitis. Fungal meningitis is a rare type of meningitis. ...
• Parasitic meningitis. ...
• Non-infectious meningitis.

How long does viral meningitis last?

Most people who get mild viral meningitis usually recover completely in 7 to 10 days without treatment. Antiviral medicine may help people with meningitis caused by viruses such as herpesvirus and influenza.

Does viral meningitis weaken your immune system?

Without that receptor, the body would struggle to detect and fight other infections later on. These studies show that meningitis can permanently affect the body's immune system. We now know that even beyond immediate life-threatening problems, meningitis can cause other issues down the road.

What is the drug of choice for bacterial meningitis?

Since then, penicillin has remained the drug of choice for the treatment of meningococcal meningitis. However, current IDSA guidelines list ceftriaxone or cefotaxime as the drugs of choice. The image below shows indications of increased intracranial pressure, an early complication of bacterial meningitis.

How did I get viral meningitis?

How do you get viral meningitis? You can get viral meningitis by breathing in viral particles that have been sneezed or coughed into the air by another infected person. You can also become infected by touching surfaces contaminated with the virus, or through contact with faeces (for example, by changing nappies).

How do adults get meningitis?

Bacteria that enter the bloodstream and travel to the brain and spinal cord cause acute bacterial meningitis. But it can also occur when bacteria directly invade the meninges. This may be caused by an ear or sinus infection, a skull fracture, or — rarely — some surgeries.