Health encyclopaedia

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Causes of Meningitis

Any bacteria or virus has the potential to cause meningitis.

Bacterial meningitis is caused by several different types of germs which live naturally at the back of the nose and throat and can be spread by close prolonged contact, coughing, sneezing and kissing.

In the UK the most common cause of bacterial meningitis is infection with the meningococcal or pneumococcal bacteria, but Hib, TB, E.Coli, and Group B streptococcal bacteria can also cause meningitis.

Viral meningitis may be caused by viruses such as coxsackie, herpes simplex, mumps, the varicella zoster virus of chickenpox and shingles, poliovirus, echoviruses (including enterovisuses). Germs can be spread through coughing, sneezing, poor hygiene or sewage polluted water.

Meningitis can also be a feature of other diseases, including Lyme disease, Leptospirosis, Typhus, Tuberculosis and other infections.

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