Random Laurene Factoid: According to the 1946 U.S. Social Security Administration data, the first name Laurene is not a popular baby girl's name in Ohio. Imagine that, only 5 babies in Ohio have the same name as you in 1946.
Bacteria and viruses are the two main causes of meningitis. The bacterium Neisseria meningitidis, also called meningococcus, causes meningococcal meningitis. In children and teens, meningococcus is the most common cause of bacterial meningitis. In adults, it is the second most common cause.
Viral, or aseptic, meningitis is more common and generally occurs in summer to early autumn. This form is rarely life threatening. It has a similar mode of transmission to the bacterial type. Often, abdominal discomfort, chest pain, or a rash will be present.Most cases of viral meningitis run an uneventful course.Since this is a virus (similar to the common cold), it cannot be treated with antibiotics. 2 Recovery is normally complete, but headaches and drowsiness may be persistent. The classic clinical presentation of acute bacterial meningitis in adults is the triad of fever (greater than 101 degrees), neck stiffness, and an altered mental state, such as confusion or agitation. 2 The absence of all three of these symptoms effectively eliminates bacterial meningitis.