How Do You Get Meningitis?

In the United States, at least 15,000 meningitis cases are reported each year. Annually, more than 500 people die from one of the most common types of meningitis (acute bacterial meningitis), and the true number of deaths is higher when all causes of meningitis are taken into account.

Each type of meningitis has its own mortality rate ranging from less than 1 percent to as high as 95 percent. Survivors can be left with permanent hearing loss and epilepsy, as well as problems with concentration, memory, movement, and balance. Quickly determining the cause of a case of meningitis is essential to providing effective treatment.

What Is Meningitis?

While we tend to think of meningitis as a disease in and of itself, it’s typically just a symptom of another problem. Meningitis occurs when the meninges (the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord) become inflamed. Several things can cause this inflammation, but the symptoms tend to be the same, no matter the underlying cause. 

While the outward symptoms may be the same, the treatment for each type of meningitis can be radically different. Some vaccines may prevent the most common types of meningitis, and there are treatment options for many of the underlying causes. A case of acute meningitis can progress quickly, so seeking medical attention as soon as symptoms start is essential. Doing so will increase the chance of survival and minimize the risk of permanent damage to the brain.

Is Meningitis Contagious, And What Causes It?

After identifying a case of meningitis, determining what is causing it is the most important step. The cause of the inflammation (usually some sort of infection) must be determined before the appropriate treatment can start. How quickly this can be done often means the difference between death or lifelong disability and a healthy recovery. 

Most people are familiar with bacterial and viral meningitis. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recognizes five types of meningitis: bacterial, viral, fungal, parasitic (or amebic), and non-infectious. 

• Bacterial Meningitis:
  • This is a bacterial infection and what most people think of when they hear “meningitis.”
  • Affects almost 4,100 Americans each year and causes around 500 deaths.
  • If not treated early enough, the mortality rate can be up to 50 percent.
  • Bacterial meningitis infections may be passed from person to person.
  • Antibiotic medications are often used to treat bacterial meningitis infections.
  • Vaccines that protect against some forms of bacterial meningitis are available.
  • The bacteria Neisseria meningitidis causes meningococcal disease, which is an uncommon but serious illness that causes the most common type of meningitis affecting children and young adults. It may be fatal if not treated promptly. 
• Viral Meningitis:
  • This viral infection tends to be milder and often resolves on its own in healthy immune systems.
  • More than 10,000 cases are reported annually, but it is estimated that the actual number may be closer to 75,000 when factoring in cases that can’t be confirmed and instances that resolve on their own without treatment.
  • Spread from person to person.
  • Some viral meningitis infections, such as herpes simplex virus or influenza, are treated with medication, but most viral infections are treated with rest, fluids, and monitoring.
  • Vaccines are available to prevent some forms of viral meningitis.
• Fungal Meningitis:
  • Typically, it is very rare.
  • The mortality rate can vary between 5 and 40 percent, depending on the type of fungus involved and the underlying health of the infected individual.
  • A deadly outbreak made national news in 2012 when it was discovered that contaminated steroid injections made at a compounding center in Massachusetts were responsible for 753 fungal meningitis cases, resulting in 64 deaths across 20 states.
  • Antifungal medications are used to treat fungal meningitis, typically intravenously.
• Parasitic Meningitis:
  • Very rare, caused by parasites or amebas that make their way into the brain or nervous system via the nose or, more rarely, the digestive tract.
  • Not contagious, but it usually occurs due to contact with stagnant water, dirt, feces, or raw fish, poultry, or produce.
  • The most well-known kind is also known as PAM (primary amebic meningoencephalitis) and is caused by an ameba called Naegleria fowleri, known colloquially as the “brain-eating bacteria.”
  • Few effective treatment options are available at this time.
  • Almost always fatal, with mortality approaching 95 percent within 72 hours of the onset of symptoms.
• Non-Infectious Meningitis:
  • Can be caused by cancer, lupus, some medications, head injuries, and brain surgery.

Whether the condition is determined to be viral, bacterial, or fungal meningitis (or the rarer types), treatment must begin quickly to prevent permanent neurological damage. 

What Are The Symptoms Of Meningitis?

Meningitis can go from asymptomatic to death within a matter of hours in many cases, so it’s essential to recognize warning signs and get medical help as soon as possible. The classic symptoms of meningitis are:

• fever
• severe headache
• stiff neck
• nausea/vomiting
• sensitivity to light
• confusion

Meningitis Resulted In The Death Or Permanent Disability Of A Loved One. What Now?

If you or your loved one have been affected by meningitis, it’s essential to determine whether anything different could have been done in your treatment or care. It can be challenging to uncover this information on your own. However, an expert legal team familiar with meningitis cases can determine if a different approach or action on the part of a hospital or doctor may have changed the outcome. If the wrong tests were performed, an incorrect treatment was given, or treatment was delayed without a valid reason, you and your family deserve compensation for the medical bills and physical and emotional pain caused by the negligence.  

Why Choose Ross Feller Casey?

The legal team at Ross Feller Casey has an unmatched record of success in all types of medical malpractice cases, including numerous multimillion-dollar recoveries in meningitis lawsuits.

With an Ivy League-trained team of doctor-lawyers on staff, we understand how complicated meningitis cases can be. If your case was at all mismanaged and resulted in death or severe injury, contact us today for a free consultation. 

We work on a contingency basis, so there’s no cost until we win. We’re ready to help you get the compensation you and your loved ones deserve if negligence contributed to your meningitis diagnosis or complication.