Healthdirect Free Australian health advice you can count on.

Medical problem? Call 1800 022 222. If you need urgent medical help, call triple zero immediately

healthdirect Australia is a free service where you can talk to a nurse or doctor who can help you know what to do.

beginning of content

Meningitis

11-minute read

Meningitis is a medical emergency. If you are worried that you or someone you care for may have meningitis, go to your nearest emergency department or call triple zero (000) and ask for an ambulance.

Key facts

  • Meningitis is an infection of the membranes surrounding your brain and spinal cord.
  • It can be caused by an infection with bacteria, viruses or fungi.
  • Meningitis is a serious illness that needs urgent treatment.
  • There are vaccines available that can help prevent meningitis.

What is meningitis?

Meningitis is a rare but serious infection of your meninges (the membranes covering your brain and spinal cord).

Meningitis is usually caused by a virus or bacteria, and sometimes it’s caused by a fungus.

Viral meningitis is usually a less dangerous form of meningitis and most commonly affects children. Bacterial meningitis is a medical emergency. Early diagnosis and treatment are vital.

It is often not possible to tell the difference between viral and bacterial meningitis from the symptoms alone.

What are the symptoms of meningitis?

The symptoms of meningitis in young children and babies can include:

  • fever or low temperature
  • irritability
  • being drowsy or difficult to wake
  • poor feeding
  • feeling stiff or floppy
  • vomiting and diarrhoea
  • purple-red skin rash or bruising
  • pale or blotchy skin
  • seizures

Babies may also have:

  • a bulge in their fontanelle (the soft spot on top their head)
  • an unusual or high-pitched cry

Symptoms of meningitis in older children and adults can include:

Some people with meningitis have a purple-red skin rash or bruising. The red or purple spots do not turn white when you press on them with a finger.

CHECK YOUR SYMPTOMS — Use the Symptom Checker and find out if you need to seek medical help.

What causes meningitis?

The viruses or bacteria that can cause meningitis are usually spread from person to person through close contact. This may be through:

  • coughing
  • sneezing
  • kissing
  • sharing personal items

Bacterial meningitis is commonly caused by meningococcal and pneumococcal bacteria.

When should I see my doctor?

Call an ambulance or go straight to the emergency department if you or a child is showing symptoms of meningococcal infection.

ASK YOUR DOCTOR — Preparing for an appointment? Use the Question Builder for general tips on what to ask your GP or specialist.

How is meningitis diagnosed?

Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and do a physical examination.

Tests that can help with the diagnosis include:

FIND A HEALTH SERVICE — The Service Finder can help you find doctors, pharmacies, hospitals and other health services.

How is meningitis treated?

People with meningitis are usually be admitted to hospital. Treatment will depend on the type of infection that has caused the meningitis.

Viral meningitis

There is no specific treatment for viral meningitis and people usually get better with plenty of rest and fluids.

Pain relief medicines, such as paracetamol, can be used to ease headache and fever.

Viral meningitis is not treated with antibiotics because antibiotics are not effective against viral illnesses.

Bacterial meningitis

Bacterial meningitis is a medical emergency that needs immediate treatment.

You will get antibiotics to treat the infection.

Other medicines, such as corticosteroids, may also be given to help reduce your risk of complications.

Fungal meningitis

Meningitis that’s caused by a fungus is treated with anti-fungal medicines.

Can meningitis be prevented?

If you’ve been in close contact with someone who has meningococcal disease, you may be given antibiotics to reduce your risk of infection.

You can lower your risk of catching infections in general if you follow these good hygiene practices:

  • Wash your hands regularly.
  • Don’t share drink bottles, cups or cutlery.
  • Sneeze into your elbow.
  • Throw tissues into the bin straight after use and wash your hands.

It’s important to stay up-to-date with routine childhood vaccinations to prevent serious infections such as meningitis. Extra, optional vaccines are also available against some of strains of meningococcal disease.

Meningococcal vaccines

Vaccination is your best protection against meningococcal disease. There are different vaccines for different types of disease (A, B, C, W and Y).

Vaccination with meningococcal B and meningococcal ACWY vaccines can be done from 6 weeks of age.

Anyone who wants to protect themselves against meningococcal disease should talk to their doctor about getting vaccinated. Meningococcal immunisation is recommended for:

  • babies, children, teenagers and young adults
  • Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people
  • young adults who live in close quarters or who are current smokers
  • travellers
  • people who have certain medical conditions that increase their risk meningococcal disease
  • laboratory workers who work with the bacterium that causes meningococcal disease

The table below explains how the meningococcal ACWY vaccine is given and who can get it as part of the National Immunisation Program Schedule.

Meningococcal ACWY vaccine
How is it administered? Injection
Is it available for free under the National Immunisation Program?

The vaccination is free for:

  • babies at 12 months of age
  • adolescents aged 14 to 16 years (usually given as part of school-based vaccination programs)
  • people with certain medical conditions or taking certain medicines

Find out more on the Department of Health website and the National Immunisation Program Schedule. Ask your doctor if you are eligible for additional free vaccines based on your situation.

Who can get catch-up vaccinations?

Teenagers up to 20 years of age who missed out on their adolescent dose of meningococcal ACWY vaccine at 14 to 16 years of age can get free catch-up vaccination.

Refugees and other humanitarian entrants of any age can also get the free catch-up vaccination.

Are there any side effects from meningococcal vaccination?

Possible side effects include:

  • pain, redness, swelling or a lump where the needle went in
  • fever
  • feeling unsettled or tired
  • decreased appetite
  • headache

Meningococcal vaccines should not be given to people who have had a previous severe allergic reaction. They are generally not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women.

Complications of meningitis

Some people with bacterial meningitis can develop sepsis. This is a very serious condition that needs immediate treatment.

Occasionally, meningitis can cause serious or long-term problems, such as:

Meningitis can sometimes cause other complications, such as emotional, learning and behavioural problems.

Resources and support

More information on vaccination is available from the Australian National Immunisation Program.

Meningitis Centre Australia has patient stories and an online support group for people affected by meningitis.

If you are worried about meningitis you can call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available to speak with 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content.

Last reviewed: July 2023


Back To Top

Need more information?

These trusted information partners have more on this topic.

Top results

Meningitis - Better Health Channel

Meningitis can cause death and requires urgent medical attention.

Read more on Better Health Channel website

Meningitis in children - MyDr.com.au

Meningitis means inflammation of the meninges - the lining around the brain and spinal cord. It is usually caused by a bacterial or viral infection.

Read more on myDr website

Meningitis (viral) | Health and wellbeing | Queensland Government

Viral meningitis is an infection of the meninges (the thin lining of the brain and spinal cord).

Read more on Queensland Health website

Meningitis - MyDr.com.au

Meningitis: what is it, what causes it and what are the symptoms? Find out all you need to know, plus risk factors, treatment and prevention.

Read more on myDr website

Meningitis - Brain Foundation

Meningitis is a rare but serious infection of the membranes that cover the brain & spinal cord. It is caused by bacteria, fungi, or viruses.

Read more on Brain Foundation website

Meningitis in babies and children | Raising Children Network

Meningitis is an emergency. Symptoms include headache, sore neck and sensitivity to light. If you think your child has meningitis, go straight to hospital.

Read more on raisingchildren.net.au website

Pneumococcal Disease - Immunisation Coalition

The bacteria that causes Pneumococcal disease lives in the throats of healthy people and can cause serious illness such as pneumonia, otitis media and meningitis.

Read more on Immunisation Coalition website

Haemophilus Influenzae Type b (Hib) disease fact sheet - Fact sheets

Infection with Hib bacteria can lead to serious illness including meningitis and epiglottitis. With the introduction of Hib vaccine these conditions are now rare. Urgent treatment is necessary as Hib disease can be life threatening.​

Read more on NSW Health website

Haemophilus influenzae - MyDr.com.au

The bacterium Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) can cause meningitis and epiglottitis. Since routine Hib vaccination started in Australia, the number of cases of Hib infection has been greatly reduced.

Read more on myDr website

Naegleria fowleri | NT.GOV.AU

Symptoms, treatment and prevention of naegleria fowleri.

Read more on NT Health website

Healthdirect 24hr 7 days a week hotline

24 hour health advice you can count on

1800 022 222

Government Accredited with over 140 information partners

We are a government-funded service, providing quality, approved health information and advice

Australian Government, health department logo ACT Government logo New South Wales government, health department logo Northen Territory Government logo Queensland Government logo Government of South Australia, health department logo Tasmanian government logo Victorian government logo Government of Western Australia, health department logo

Healthdirect Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to the Traditional Owners and to Elders both past and present.