The procedure takes under 20 minutes and may result in a headache afterwards. Viral meningitis doesn't respond to antibiotics, so treatment is based on rest and nursing care. It often clears up quickly, though headaches, tiredness, and depression can last for some time. Bacterial meningitis requires immediate treatment with antibiotics. Most cases of meningitis are isolated, but clusters of meningococcal meningitis occasionally appear.
Infection is spread by sneezing or, in adults, intimate kissing.
The bacteria that cause the problem are extremely common, living naturally in the back of the nose and throat, and some people carry them without becoming ill. Viral meningitis used to be a complication of childhood illnesses like mumps, but the MMR vaccination has virtually eliminated this threat. The Hib vaccination also offers protection against bacterial infections such as septic arthritis and cellulitis. There is no vaccine yet against meningococcus group B, the most common group causing meningococcal septicaemia. Research suggests that smoking within the household can increase the chances of a child contracting meningitis, so giving up may reduce the risk.