Signs and symptoms
... It''s easy to mistake the early signs and symptoms of meningitis for the flu. They may develop over a period of one or two days, but some types of meningitis can prove fatal in a matter of days. If yo...

Causes
... Bacteria, viruses and fungi all can cause meningitis. Identifying the source of the infection is an important part of developing a treatment plan. Bacterial meningitis A number of strains of bacteria ...

Risk factors
... A few risk factors can make you or your child more likely to be infected with meningitis: Age. Children younger than 5 years, young people ages 18 to 24 and older adults are more likely to develop men...

When to seek medical advice
... If you or someone in your family has signs or symptoms of meningitis — such as fever, severe headache, vomiting and stiff neck — get medical care right away. Viral meningitis may resolve w...

Screening and diagnosis
... Your doctor or pediatrician can diagnose meningitis based on a medical history, a physical exam and certain diagnostic tests. During the exam, your doctor may check for signs of infection around the h...