Bacterial meningitis is an infection that causes swelling and irritation around the brain and spinal cord. Bacterial meningitis is a serious illness but it is more serious in people under age 2 or over age 60.
Most people get better with treatment.
But, even with treatment some people die. You may get meningitis after having an infection in another part of your body, such as the ear, nose, or throat. Or, you may get meningitis after a head injury. These bacteria may pass from one person to another. It may only take a few hours to start seeing these symptoms or it may take 1 to 2 days.