However those with a more severe form of viral meningitis are likely to be admitted to hospital for tests to determine whether it s a bacterial or viral form of meningitis. Treatment is based on good nursing care. Antibiotics are of no use in viral meningitis. TB meningitis is a rare form of meningitis. New-born infants are also susceptible to certain types of bacterial meningitis including those caused by E.coli and group B streptococcus.
Bacterial meningitis is treated with antibiotics.
The category of bacterial meningitis described below includes all bacterial causes of meningitis together with meningococcal septicaemia. Figure 1 illustrates the total number of bacterial meningitis cases notified in Ireland since 1985. As outlined previously groups B and C account for most cases.