7 Long-Term Side Effects of Meningitis Parents Should Know

Meningitis is rare and preventable thanks to childhood vaccines, but it should still be on every parent’s radar. Primarily affecting very young children and teens, this dangerous infection can quickly become life-threatening. Even when kids recover, they can be left with serious long-term side effects — and we need to talk about it.

What is meningitis, anyway? This condition occurs when a bacterial or viral infection reaches the meninges, or the membrane surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Bacterial meningitis, often caused by germs like pneumococcus or meningococcus, tends to be the most severe and deadly variety. Viral meningitis is usually less serious, but not always.

“Regardless of the cause, these are all infections in and around your brain, and that’s something to avoid if you can,” Elizabeth Murray, DO, MBA, pediatric emergency medicine doctor, tells SheKnows. Babies and very young children are more vulnerable because their immune systems are still developing. Teens and young adults ages 16 to 23 are at a higher risk for meningococcal meningitis specifically because they’re more likely to be in close-quarters living situations where contagious germs spread like wildfire — think dorm rooms in college.

Meningitis symptoms can run the gamut, but in severe cases, it’s often apparent that something is seriously wrong, Murray notes. Babies and young children may present with a high fever, irritability, vomiting or refusing to feed, or extreme lethargy. They might also have a red or purplish rash on their skin. 

“The fontanelle, or soft spot on the top of their head, may be bulging or feel higher than usual and full,” Catherine Mary Healy, MD, pediatrician and member of American Academy of Pediatrics’ (AAP) Committee on Infectious Diseases, tells SheKnows. 

Meanwhile, teens and young adults with meningitis may develop a fever, severe headache, stiff neck, or confusion. All diagnoses are made with a lumbar puncture, or spinal tap, which helps doctors identify what germ caused the infection and treat it accordingly. 

To be clear: Meningitis is fairly rare, and most people who get it make a full recovery. “Sadly, even when we can stop the infection, sometimes damage is still done,” Murray says. Per the Meningitis Foundation, one in five people who fall ill with bacterial meningitis are left with permanent side effects. They can vary widely depending on the germ that caused the illness and severity. 

In general, the longer treatment for meningitis is delayed, the higher a patient’s risk of sustaining serious damage to their organs, muscles, or nervous system. Bacterial meningitis is typically treated with weeks of antibiotics, Murray explains. Viral cases sometimes resolve on their own, but often, meningitis requires hospitalization.

Viewers who tuned in for Season 2 of The Pitt, HBO Max’s hit medical drama, may recall that (spoiler alert!) Dr. Baran Al-Hashimi experiences seizures as an adult because she had viral meningitis in childhood. That’s just one example of a possible complication.

“Long-term effects may include deafness, seizures, and neurodevelopmental delays,” Healy says. “For meningitis caused by meningococcal disease with a severe rash, there may also be skin scarring or the need for amputation of limbs.” Lingering vision or memory issues can arise, too.

Murray’s advice for parents who are concerned about meningitis? “Vaccinate, vaccinate, vaccinate.” It’s the best tool available to prevent this condition, and the host of potentially disabling side effects it can cause.

The AAP universally recommends a number of vaccine series — some for babies, and others for preteens, teens, and young adults — for protection against different bacteria and viruses that can cause meningitis. They include the pneumococcal, haemophilus influenzae type B (HIB), and meningococcal (MenACWY) vaccines.

For additional protection, the meningococcal type B (MenB) vaccine is also available to teens and young adults through shared clinical decision-making (read: parents and physicians making choices together about whether or not to vaccinate). These shots are all safe, effective, and backed by the nation’s leading pediatric health experts. Pregnant mothers should also stay on top of their routine prenatal care, which can help them avoid passing on viruses that can cause meningitis to their baby during or after birth, Murray says.

Got further questions? Your family’s pediatrician can help steer you in the right direction as you make decisions about vaccinations, particularly when it comes to optional shots like MenB, or additional boosters for children and teens in high-risk groups.

“It’s always better to protect against any type of risk before you are exposed to the problem,” Murray advises. “Waiting to try to put on your seatbelt as a car accident is happening probably won’t help you. Wearing a seatbelt every time you get in a car is much more likely to keep you safe. The same is true for vaccines.”