Word Origin & History. augur 1540s, from L. augur, a religious official in ancient Rome who foretold events by interpreting omens, perhaps originally meaning an increase in crops enacted in ritual, in which case it probably is from Old L. *augos (gen. *augeris) increase, and is related to augere increase (see augment).
Bacterial meningitis is serious, and can be fatal within days without prompt antibiotic treatment. Delayed treatment increases the risk of permanent brain damage or death. It's also important to talk to your doctor if a family member or someone you work with has meningitis.
Though it can be fatal, viral meningitis is often less severe than bacterial meningitis. Most people with viral meningitis usually recover in 7 to 10 days without specific treatment. The most common forms of viral meningitis are not preventable with a vaccine. The viruses that commonly cause meningitis can spread the same way that bacterial meningitis does (eg, through kissing, sharing drinks, or sharing eating utensils).