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Meningitis

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Meningitis Viral meningitis is generally less severe and typically resolves without requiring treatment and without causing serious harm. However, bacterial meningitis can be very serious and may result in brain damage, hearing loss, disability or death. For bacterial meningitis, it is important to know which type of bacteria is causing the meningitis because antibiotics can prevent some types from spreading and infecting other people. Bacterial meningitis must be treated much more aggressively than viral meningitis. Vaccines against certain types of bacteria that can cause meningitis have been developed. Click on "Vaccines" above to learn more about these. The organisms that cause meningitis are found in many people who do not have any symptoms of illness. These organisms tend to cause disease in the very young, old, or people who have weakened immune systems. Luckily, these organisms are not highly contagious, but can be transmitted through saliva. Anyone kissing or sharing food, drinks and eating utensils with the infected person is at an increased risk of getting sick.