Meningitis, a medical condition, causes people to suffer from inflammation of the meninges, which are the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord. This disease occurs when the fluid surrounding the meninges becomes infected. This could be due to a bacterial, fungal, or viral infection. The condition can also occur due to certain environmental toxins, cancer, and side effects due to certain medications. The types of meningitis are classified based on their causes.

Anyone can be affected by this disease but children below five years of age are at a higher risk; however, bacterial meningitis is higher among infants. Some are common and rare types of meningitis are:

1. Viral meningitis
The most common form of meningitis is viral meningitis. It occurs mostly during the summer and fall. It is caused due to Echoviruses, Coxsackievirus A, Coxsackievirus B, West Nile virus, and Herpes. Viral meningitis does not require hospitalization and can be treated at home under the supervision of a doctor. Caution needs to be taken as some forms of viral meningitis are communicable.

2. Bacterial meningitis
Bacterial meningitis is the second most common type of meningitis. It occurs when bacteria enters the bloodstream and travels to the brain and spinal cord. If left untreated, it can lead to serious complications, such as loss of hearing, damage in the brain, and even death. A few of the bacteria that can cause this type of meningitis are Streptococcus Pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenza. They are contagious, so caution must be taken. Vaccinations are available for some subtypes of this type of meningitis.

3. Fungal meningitis
Among the types of meningitis, fungal meningitis is rare. It is caused when a fungus enters the body and spreads through the bloodstream to the brain or spinal cord. Common funguses that cause this type of meningitis are Cryptococcus, Histoplasma, and Blastomyces.

4. Parasitic meningitis
Parasitic meningitis is caused by parasites like Baylisascaris procyonis and Gnathostoma Spinigerum. This is not a communicable kind of condition.

5. Non-infectious meningitis
Non-infectious meningitis is caused when the affected person is suffering from other conditions like lupus, cancer, and head injuries. It could also occur when certain treatments are administered. If not treated, it can cause swelling of the brain, leading to a possible disability. At times, when the condition worsens, it can be fatal. Symptoms of this disease are similar to the different other types of meningitis.

It is important to practice personal cleanliness in an attempt to prevent meningitis from occurring. A few of the steps to avoid getting infected is to not share food and drinks from common utensils and personal items as some types of meningitis are transmissible.