The pressure in the spinal canal and brain is measured.
The bacteria, viruses, and fungi that cause meningitis usually grow in a person’s respiratory tract. Syphilis, tuberculosis, and Lyme disease bacteria can also cause meningitis. coli, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), and a strep bacteria that causes pneumonia. Viruses that can cause meningitis include polioviruses, the mumps virus (paramyxovirus), the flu virus, and West Nile virus.īacteria that can cause meningitis include group B streptococcus, E. Bacterial meningitis is usually more severe and may lead to long-term complications or death. Meningitis caused by a virus is more common and usually less severe. This is more common only in children with a weak immune system. A fungus or parasite may also cause meningitis. CSF is the fluid that protects and cushions the brain and spinal cord. Meningitis is most often caused by a bacterial or viral infection that moves into the cerebral spinal fluid (CSF).