Encephalitis and meningitis are rare but serious conditions that can occur suddenly, can be life threatening, and can cause lasting damage.

Meningitis & Encephalitis

About encephalitis and meningitis

What is meningitis?

(Inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord)

Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord. Meningitis can be caused by a bacterium or a virus. Viral meningitis is more common than the bacterial form. In everyday language, it is sometimes referred to as neck stiffness, although this is not always present.

After meningitis, people may continue to experience effects that differ from one individual to another. The severity also varies from person to person.

Bacterial meningitis
A bacterial infection is caused by one of three bacteria: meningococcus, pneumococcus, or Haemophilus influenzae type b, Hib. These bacteria can live harmlessly in the nose and throat. When resistance is lower, the bacteria can multiply and spread through the bloodstream. This can cause blood poisoning, especially with meningococcal bacteria. If the bacteria reach the brain and the membranes surrounding the brain through the bloodstream, they can cause meningitis. With rapid treatment, the bacteria can be killed with antibiotics.

Viral meningitis
The virus enters the body from outside, usually during a cold or infection of the airways. Meningitis can also develop after an infection in the stomach, intestines, or lungs. With viral meningitis, people are often less ill than with the bacterial form. Unlike bacterial meningitis, antibiotics do not help. With some viruses, such as the herpes virus, a doctor can prescribe an antiviral medicine. For most viruses, however, this does not work and the body must clear the virus itself. This usually takes one to two weeks. This form is not often life threatening. However, it can leave you very weakened and may cause long lasting symptoms.

What is encephalitis?

(brain infection)

In encephalitis, the brain itself is inflamed. The nerve cells or the white matter of the brain is directly damaged. Encephalitis is usually caused by viruses, sometimes by bacteria, or by an attack from the body’s own immune system, known as autoimmune encephalitis. The most common cause is the cold sore virus, also known as the herpes simplex virus. It is not exactly known why herpes simplex causes encephalitis in some people. Other viruses can also cause encephalitis, but these are rarer.

A reaction of the immune system can also be a cause, such as NMDAR encephalitis.

Facts and Figures

Key figures and facts
10 - 15
number of people in the Netherlands affected by meningitis or encephalitis every day
3 - 4 MILLION
number of people worldwide who develop meningitis or encephalitis every year
40%
of patients with meningitis or encephalitis die from the disease or are left with lasting effects

Causes

  • Meningitis
    Encephalitis
    Infection
  • Virus
    • Herpes simplex
    • Integer
    • Herpes simplex
    • Japanese
  • Bacteria
    • Meningococci
    • Pneumococci
    • Group A streptococci
    • Group B streptococci
    • Tuberculosis (TB)
    • Hibernation
    • Listeria
    • E. coli
    • Listeria
  • Fungus
    • Cryptococci
    • Aspergillus
    • Cryptococci
    • Aspergillus
    Autoimmune
    • Anti-NMDA receptor
    • Anti-LGI1
    • Anti-GAD
    • Caspr2

Symptoms

Recognizing the first signs

The first symptoms of meningitis or encephalitis can appear suddenly and may initially resemble the flu. It is important to recognize warning signs early. The disease can develop and worsen rapidly. Pay particular attention to a combination of fever, headache, and changes in behavior or consciousness.

Image
icon
  • Fever
    Fever
  • Vomiting
    Vomiting
  • Headache
    Headache
  • Sleepiness
    Sleepiness
  • Neck stiffness
    Neck stiffness
  • Skin rash
    Skin rash
  • Sensitivity to light
    Sensitivity to light
  • Confusion
    Confusion
  • Seizures
    Seizures
A sense that something is not right

Alongside medical symptoms, an inner alarm signal can indicate that something is wrong, even if you cannot quite explain what it is. You know your child or partner best.

If something does not feel right, trust that feeling. Pay attention to changes in behavior, alertness, or condition, and contact a doctor or emergency care immediately if something seems wrong. Insist on a referral to hospital if you feel it is needed.

In the media

RTL News
Ingeborg lost her daughter to meningococcal disease: “Mum, I don’t feel very well”
France Today
Meningitis outbreak in France: 34 cases and a large-scale vaccination campaign
RTL News
Risk of a British meningococcal outbreak on the European mainland is low
NOS
Number of cases from meningococcal outbreak rising, British youths queuing for vaccine
Amsterdam UMC
Vici grant awarded to neurologist Matthijs Brouwer for study into brain infections
AD
Meningitis is rare, but can be very dangerous: 'See a doctor if you have this symptom'
AD
Meningococcal outbreak among British students
RTL News
Luka died from meningococcal B
NOS
Faster test to detect life-threatening bacterial meningitis
NPO3
Lindsey lost her one-year-old daughter to meningitis: “The GP advised paracetamol”
EenVandaag
Number of meningococcal deaths rising dramatically
Omroep Brabant
Coen and Devany suddenly lost their daughter: ‘Our world fell apart’
Bruzz
ULB student died of meningitis
AD
Seven young children have died; paediatricians warn of dangerous bacteria
Right to Left
Parents fail to recognise deadly meningitis: ‘We thought it was just a mild flu’
Rijnmond.nl
Boy (13) died following hospital errors: ‘Healthcare providers were misled’
Marriage
Rock guitarist Jeff Beck (78) died after meningitis
VRT
17-year-old boy died from meningitis
Nu.nl
Sammie (1) died of meningitis
Dutch Daily Newspaper
“A quick jab and Sammie (1) would still be alive”
Omroep Brabant
‘It was hell on earth’, mother of deceased student calls for meningococcal vaccination
Parents of Today
Baby died of meningitis