Meningitis in Children

Suspect bacterial meningitis if a child is clearly ill and has severe symptoms. Acute bacterial meningitis is a severe disease that, untreated, can lead to death in less than 24 hours. Early recognition is vital to avoid delaying treatment. Symptoms of viral meningitis resemble those of bacterial meningitis at the early stage of disease, but viral meningitis is a less severe disease with good prognosis and usually only requires symptomatic treatment.