The difference between bacterial meningitis and viral meningitis at a cellular level is the type of organism that is infecting the brain tissue. The types of bacteria that can cause meningitis include: Several types of streptococci bacteria; one strain of the influenza virus; and Listeria moncytogenes. Viruses that can cause meningitis are: Herpes simplex 2; the virus that causes chickenpox and shingles; enteroviruses; and HIV. Cases of bacterial meningitis tend to be more serious and potentially more deadly than viral meningitis. If caught early enough, most bacterial infections can be treated with antibiotics. There is no cure for viral infections, but some can be treated with anti-viral medicine. Viral infections often subside with time. Some of the bacterial and viral pathogens have vaccines that can prevent meningitis.

The test for meningitis involves a spinal tap that tests if the brain tissue is inflamed. The symptoms for the illness is fever, stiff neck, sensitivity to light and noise, headache, vomiting, psychotic-like symptoms, and sometimes rash. If untreated, meningitis can result in brain damage, deafness, seizure disorders, chronic brain infection, and even death. In children, symptoms are often different. The symptoms in young children are skin discoloration, swelling of the head (especially in the soft spot,) pain in the legs, and unusually cold limbs. A rash is quite common in meningitis infections in children. If you suspect you or someone you love has meningitis, the person ought to be seen by a doctor.  If the person is a child, teenager, or young adult, they need to seek medical attention immediately. Infections in these age groups are tend to be more severe and potentially life-threatening. Most meningitis infections can be treated if caught early enough. The patient might be required to stay in the hospital until they recover, if the infection is severe enough.

Meningitis is a swelling and inflammation of the membranes that surround the brain – it can be caused by infection caused by both bacteria and viruses.

Bacterial meningitis is by far the most dangerous of the two. It can be caused by several bacteria from different species – meningococci, pneumococci and Haemophilus influenzae B. E coli meningitis can also occur but is rare in everyone except very small babies.

Someone with meningitis develops symptoms very quickly and needs prompt treatment as the infection can take over very rapidly, causing death. Meningitis starts with a fever, severe headache, neck stiffness, sensitivity to bright light and vomiting. The skin also has a rash that looks like small bruises or blisters. Antibiotic therapy must be started immediately to reduce the bacteria in the spinal fluid and brain.

Viral meningitis gives similar but less severe symptoms but, of course, cannot be treated with antibiotics – people usually get better on their own with rest and care.