Meningitis is difficult to recognize, understand and diagnose.

Essentially, there are two major divisions of meningitis -- viral (caused by a virus) and bacterial (caused by one of several types and strains of bacteria residing in the throat or nasal passages). The bacterial form of meningitis is extremely dangerous, fast-moving and has the most potential for being fatal. For many survivors, the long-term effects can be debilitating, possibly including multiple amputations, hearing loss and kidney damage. Many (but not all) forms of bacterial meningitis can be prevented by vaccination. Viral meningitis has similar symptoms to bacterial meningitis, but is neither as deadly nor as debilitating for the most part. According to the CDC, there is no specific treatment available for viral meningitis at this time. Most patients recover on their own.

There are many forms and types of bacteria which cause meningitis, but NMA focuses particularly on meningococcal disease because it is deadly, preventable and very few people, including doctors, are fully informed about methods of prevention against the disease.

The three main kinds of bacterial meningitis in the U.S. are:

• Meningococcal disease (Neisseria meningitidis)

  These are big words for one of the most devastating types of meningitis today. The disease is expressed as either meningococcal meningitis, an inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord, or meningococcemia, the presence of bacteria in the blood. Meningococcal disease is the most common cause of bacterial meningitis for U.S. toddlers, adolescents and young adults.

  The five main serogroups (or types) of bacteria in the U.S. are A, B, C, Y and W-135, which cause more than 95 percent of meningococcal disease worldwide. The bacteria that cause meningococcal disease reside in the throats and nasal passages of approximately 15 percent of the general population. Researchers are unsure why the bacteria attacks some people while most of the population are not affected.

  Click here for the latest information on Meningococcal disease (Neisseria meningitidis)

• Pneumococcal meningitis (Streptococcus pneumoniae)

  This variety primarily attacks younger children. In 2000, the U.S. approved a new conjugate vaccine for young children. The vaccine is deemed to be very effective and safe. There is some misunderstanding about pneumococcal meningitis. Even though the CDC has published a recommended vaccination schedule, parents need to understand this disease can also kill older children.

  Click here for the latest information on pneumococcal meningitis and prevention

• Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type b) disease

  Hib disease primarily attacks the very young, but it has nearly been eradicated in the U.S. since the introduction of infant vaccination programs against Hib in the mid-1980s.

  Click here for the latest information on Hib disease and prevention