Bacterial meningitis is inflammation of the meninges caused by a bacterial infection.

Causes

Neonatal to 3 months

• Group B Streptococcus: usually acquired from the mother at birth. More common in low birth weight babies and following prolonged rupture of the membranes
• E. coli and other Gram -ve organisms
• Listeria monocytogenes

1 month to 6 years

• Neisseria meningitidis (meningococcus)
• Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus)
• Haemophilus influenzae

Greater than 6 years

• Neisseria meningitidis (meningococcus)
• Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus)

PC:

Typical symptoms of meningitis are

• fever
• neck stiffness
• vomiting