Difference Between Viral and Bacterial 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. Is bacterial meningitis worse than viral?
3. Which is Better viral or bacterial meningitis?
4. How do doctors know the difference between viral and bacterial?
5. What are the 5 types of meningitis?
6. Does the meningitis vaccine protect against viral or bacterial?
7. Why is bacterial meningitis so serious?
8. What is the drug of choice for bacterial meningitis?
9. Is bacterial or viral pneumonia worse?

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.

Is bacterial meningitis worse than viral?

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.

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.

How do doctors know the difference between viral and bacterial?

Your doctor often can diagnose you through a medical history and physical exam. The doctor may order blood or urine tests or a spinal culture to help pinpoint a viral or bacterial infection.

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.

Does the meningitis vaccine protect against viral or bacterial?

Meningococcal conjugate (MenACWY) vaccine protects against four types (serogroups A, C, W, and Y) of Neisseria meningitidis bacteria. Serogroup B meningococcal (MenB) vaccine protects against one type (serogroup B) of Neisseria meningitidis bacteria.

Why is bacterial meningitis so serious?

Bacterial meningitis can be life threatening. The infection can cause the tissues around the brain to swell. This in turn interferes with blood flow and can result in paralysis or even stroke.

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.

Is bacterial or viral pneumonia worse?

Bacterial and viral pneumonia are more common than pneumonia resulting from fungal infections. Bacteria such as Streptococcus pneumoniae cause bacterial pneumonia. This type of pneumonia is usually more severe than viral pneumonia.