Transmission

Bacterial Meningitis

Bacterial meningitis is contagious. The bacteria are spread through the exchange of respiratory and throat secretions (i.e., coughing, kissing). Fortunately, none of the bacteria that cause meningitis are as contagious as things like the common cold or the flu. Also, the bacteria are not spread by casual contact or by simply breathing the air where a person with meningitis has been.

Sometimes the bacteria that cause meningitis have spread to other people who have had close or prolonged contact with a patient with meningitis caused by N. meningitidis (also called meningococcal meningitis) or H. influenzae serotype b (also called Hib meningitis).

People in the same household or daycare center or anyone with direct contact with a patient's oral secretions (such as a boyfriend or girlfriend) would be considered at increased risk of getting the infection. People who qualify as close contacts of a person with meningitis caused by N. meningitidis should receive antibiotics to prevent them from getting the disease.

Viral Meningitis

Enteroviruses, the most common cause of viral meningitis, are most often spread from person to person through fecal contamination (which can occur when changing a diaper or using the toilet and not properly washing hands afterwards). Enteroviruses can also be spread through respiratory secretions (saliva, sputum, or nasal mucus) of an infected person. Other viruses, such as mumps and varicella-zoster virus, may also be spread through direct or indirect contact with saliva, sputum, or mucus of an infected person. Contact with an infected person may increase your chance of becoming infected with the virus that made them sick; however you will have a small chance of developing meningitis as a complication of the illness.

Fungal Meningitis

Fungal meningitis is not contagious. It is not transmitted from person to person. People at risk for fungal meningitis acquire the infection usually by inhaling fungal spores from the environment. People with certain medical conditions like diabetes, cancer, or HIV are at higher risk of fungal meningitis. You may also get fungal meningitis after taking medications that suppress your immune system. Examples of these medications include steroids (such as prednisone), medications given after organ transplantation, or anti-TNF medications, which are sometimes given for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis or other autoimmune conditions.

Cryptococcus is felt to be acquired through inhaling soil contaminated with bird droppings, and Histoplasma is found in environments with heavy contamination of bird or bat droppings, particularly in the Midwest near the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. The Midwest United States, particularly the northern Midwest, is endemic to the fungus Blastomyces.  This fungus is thought to exist in soil rich in decaying organic matter.  Coccidioides is found in the soil of endemic areas (Southwestern US and parts of Central and South America).  When these environments are disturbed, the fungal spores can be inhaled.  Meningitis results from the fungal infection spreading to the spinal cord.

Candida is usually acquired in a hospital setting.  Meningitis is rare and usually is the result of spread by the fungus through the blood to the spinal cord. 

Non-infectious Meningitis

This type of meningitis is not spread from person to person. Non-infectious meningitis can be caused by cancers, systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus), certain drugs, head injury, and brain surgery.