In adults and children older than 2 weeks of age, exposure to the listeria bacterium can cause meningitis. Acute bacterial meningitis can also occur when bacteria invade the meninges directly, rather than through the blood stream. Common causes include ear or sinus infections and skull fractures. Viral Meningitis Also called aseptic meningitis, viral meningitis is usually mild and often clears on its own in 1 to 2 weeks. In the United States, about half the cases are caused by common intestinal viruses.
Viruses associated with mumps , herpes infection or other diseases can also cause viral meningitis.
In some cases, you or your child may pick up viral meningitis from polluted water. Although acute meningitis strikes suddenly, chronic meningitis develops over weeks or months. Nevertheless, the symptoms of chronic meningitis headaches, fever, vomiting and mental cloudiness are similar to those of acute meningitis. Although cryptococcal meningitis can be effectively treated with antifungal medications, it tends to recur in nearly half of those affected. A deadly bacteria Risk Factors Children under age 5, young people ages 18 to 24 and older adults are more likely to develop meningitis than the rest of the population.