Infectious Diseases
Bacterial Meningitis
Bacterial meningitis causes dangerous brain swelling. Vaccines help prevent the disease. If you or your child get sick, our infectious disease experts quickly start treatments to prevent life-threatening complications.
Medically reviewed by Dean Blumberg, M.D. on Aug. 25, 2023.
What Is Bacterial Meningitis?
Bacterial meningitis is an infection that causes swelling in the tissue membranes (meninges) that surround your brain and spinal cord. This swelling can cause paralysis, stroke and brain damage. It’s sometimes fatal.
There are different causes and types of meningitis. Bacteria cause acute bacterial meningitis, the most common meningitis type. Symptoms come on suddenly and quickly worsen. Infants and toddlers are most at risk, but the condition affects older children, teens and adults too.
This life-threatening condition requires immediate treatment. At UC Davis Health, experts at our divisions of infectious diseases and pediatric infectious diseases provide advanced care for bacterial meningitis. Our teams’ fast diagnosis and treatments minimize your risk of life-changing complications.
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Bacterial Meningitis Symptoms
Bacterial meningitis may cause cold-like symptoms during the early stage. But symptoms can get worse quickly and become life-threatening.
Symptoms vary depending on your age and the type of bacterial meningitis.
Symptoms in Infants
Signs of bacterial meningitis in infants include:
- Changes in body temperature (either too high or too low)
- Excessive fussiness or crying, including unusual, high-pitched cries
- Extreme sleepiness (lethargy) or going limp (a sign of a seizure)
- Lip smacking or unusual chewing motions
- Rash
- Swollen or bulging soft spot (fontanelle) on their skull
- Vomiting or refusing to eat
Symptoms in Older Children, Teens and Adults
Signs of bacterial meningitis in older children, teens and adults include:
- Cold-like symptoms (headache, sore throat, runny nose, cough)
- Confusion or inability to focus
- Fever
- Rash
- Sensitivity to light
- Stiff neck that causes pain when you lower your chin toward your chest
- Vomiting
Causes of Bacterial Meningitis
Different bacteria cause different types of bacterial meningitis. Many people have these bacteria in their bodies and never have problems. The bacteria help build immunity.
But some people develop meningitis when bacteria become more invasive and enter their brain. Experts aren’t entirely sure why this happens.
The most common causes of bacterial meningitis include:
Haemophilus influenzae (Hib) Bacteria
Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib) bacteria live in your nose and throat. These bacteria cause Hib meningitis. You can spread the bacteria when you cough, sneeze, spit or kiss.
E. coli Bacteria
E. coli bacteria live naturally in your digestive tract and genitals. Newborns exposed to the bacteria during childbirth can develop bacterial meningitis. E. coli is the second-leading cause of bacterial meningitis in infants.
Group B Streptococcus Bacteria
Group B Streptococcus bacteria (also called group B strep and GBS) are commonly found in your digestive tract and genitals. The bacteria can pass from mother to baby during childbirth, putting an infant at risk for bacterial meningitis. Antibiotics given to the mother during childbirth lower this risk.
Meningococcus Bacteria
Neisseria meningitidis bacteria in your nose and throat cause meningococcal meningitis. The B, C and Y strains of this bacteria cause most meningococcal meningitis cases in the U.S.
Pneumococcus Bacteria
Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria cause pneumococcal meningitis. The bacteria live in your nose and throat. You can spread them in respiratory droplets and saliva.
Risk Factors for Bacterial Meningitis
Bacterial meningitis vaccines protect against certain types of illness. People who aren’t vaccinated, or who haven’t received all their vaccine doses, have a higher risk of infection. Other factors that increase your risk of bacterial meningitis include:
Age
Your odds of developing a specific type of bacterial meningitis depend on your age. Infants and young children who aren’t fully vaccinated are at risk for all types. Teens and young adults are more likely to get meningococcal meningitis, while older people are more likely to develop pneumococcal meningitis.
Group Gatherings
People who spend a lot of time in close quarters, such as college students living in dormitories or military members in barracks, are more at risk.
Medical Conditions
Certain medical conditions increase your risk. These conditions include HIV/AIDS, sickle cell disease, pneumonia and substance use disorders.
Surgeries
Surgeries on your brain or spine (neurosurgery) increase your risk. You’re also more vulnerable if you have a splenectomy. This surgery removes your spleen, an organ that helps your immune system fight infections.
Weak Immune System
A weakened immune system has a harder time fighting off bacteria. Steroids and immunosuppressants for autoimmune diseases, as well as cancer treatments like chemotherapy, can weaken your immune system.
Diagnosing Bacterial Meningitis
You should seek immediate medical care if you think you or your child has bacterial meningitis. Our infectious disease specialists expertly diagnose bacterial meningitis based on symptoms.
We start treatments immediately even as we wait for results from these tests, which can confirm a bacterial meningitis infection:
- Blood, mucus and urine tests: Your provider takes a sample of blood and mucus to confirm the presence of bacteria and the type. A urinalysis can also check for bacteria.
- Imaging scans: A CT scan or MRI can look for causes of brain swelling, such as brain tumors.
- Spinal tap (lumbar puncture): Your provider uses a needle to remove spine (cerebrospinal) fluid from your lower back. A lab tests the fluid for bacteria.
Bacterial Meningitis Treatments
At UC Davis Health, our infectious disease specialists start immediate treatments once you reach the hospital. Prompt treatment can slow the infection and prevent the disease from getting worse.
Children receive specialized care from pediatric infectious disease specialists at UC Davis Health Children’s Hospital. Adults benefit from advanced care at UC Davis Medical Center. You or your child will be kept separate from others to prevent spreading the infection.
Antibiotics
We quickly start you on IV antibiotics to kill the bacteria.
Steroids
IV steroids reduce brain swelling and inflammation.
Fluids
IV fluids help prevent dehydration.
Preventing Bacterial Meningitis
Vaccines can prevent certain types of bacterial meningitis. This preventive measure is the best way to protect your family from these bacterial infections.
Hib Vaccine
Children younger than 5 need three to four doses of a Hib vaccine (depending on the brand). Older children and adults don’t need this vaccine unless they have certain risk factors.
Meningococcal Vaccine
Vaccination is recommended for preteens and teens, and an additional meningococcal vaccine is considered for those ages 16-23. Young children and adults don’t typically need this vaccine.
Pneumococcal Vaccine
Infants get their first dose at two months. The fourth and final dose occurs when a child is between 12 to 15 months old. Adults older than 65, as well as others with certain risk factors, also need this vaccine.
Preventive Antibiotics
If your family is exposed to someone who has certain types of bacterial meningitis, our doctors may prescribe antibiotics as a preventive measure. Antibiotics kill the bacteria and lower your chances of getting sick.
Proper Hygiene
The same steps you take to prevent colds and other infections also lower your risk of bacterial meningitis. Be sure to regularly wash your hands, use hand sanitizer and cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze.
Who does it affect?
2,600Americans get bacterial meningitis every year
Who is most at risk?
3 in 4Cases occur in children younger than 5
Source: National Organization for Rare Disorders: Meningitis, Bacterial
NIH: Acute Kidney Injury
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