TB meningitis can occur at any age, but is most frequent in infants. It is uncommon in Canada. Diagnosis can be difficult because unlike other bacterial forms of meningitis, it most often develops slowly over time rather than over 1-3 days. Viral meningitis is more common but generally less serious than bacterial meningitis. Almost all cases recover completely and it is rarely life threatening.
Fungal meningitis is quite rare.
In rare cases, it can cause a dangerous form of meningitis, primarily in premature babies with very low birth weight or in persons with disorders of the immune system. Cryptococcus neoformans is a fungus commonly found in soil. It causes most cases of fungal meningitis. It generally only occurs in people with AIDS, cancer or diabetes. Histoplasma is a common fungus commonly found in soil in some parts of Canada.