Meningitis classification

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Meningitis Main Page
Patient Information
Overview
Causes
Classification Viral Meningitis Bacterial Meningitis Fungal Meningitis
Differential Diagnosis
Diagnosis
Treatment

Overview

Meningitis may be classified according to the course of the disease into 3 subtypes: acute septic and aseptic, recurrent, and chronic meningitis. Meningitis may also be classified according to the causative organism into 5 subtypes: bacterial, viral, fungal, parasitic, and non-infectious meningitis.

Classification

Based on time course and CSF profile meningitis is classified into:

1. Acute septic and aseptic meningitis
2. Recurrent meningitis
3. Chronic meningitis

Meningitis can also be classified based on the cause:

1. Bacterial meningitis
2. Viral meningitis
3. Fungal meningitis
4. Parasitic meningitis
5. Non infectious meningitis