Meningitis

Tuberculous meningitis causes inflammation of the membranes around the brain or spinal cord. Learn about its symptoms, treatment, and more.

[Challenges in the diagnosis & treatment of miliary tuberculosis](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3401706/). [Diagnostic and therapeutic challenges](https://doi.org/10.1212/CPJ.0000000000000023). [The current global situation for tuberculous meningitis: epidemiology, diagnostics](https://doi.org/10.12688/wellcomeopenres.15535.1), treatment and outcomes. [morbidity](https://www.verywellhealth.com/what-is-morbidity-2223380) (frequency at which a disease occurs in a population) and mortality rate (number of deaths) associated with tuberculous meningitis. This prevents normal blood flow to and from the brain and can result in [stroke](https://www.verywellhealth.com/stroke-diagnosis-and-treatment-overview-4581887), [paralysis,](https://www.verywellhealth.com/paralysis-5224673) or even death.6 The condition is often caused by a [viral](https://www.verywellhealth.com/viral-infection-5216332) or [bacterial infection](https://www.verywellhealth.com/what-is-a-bacterial-infection-770565). [fever](https://www.verywellhealth.com/infections-that-cause-headache-and-fever-1719431), [stiff neck](https://www.verywellhealth.com/can-coming-down-with-a-cold-or-the-flu-cause-neck-pain-1192207), and vomiting may follow. The disease has the highest mortality rates in children and those with a coinfection of the more common type of human immunodeficiency virus ( [HIV-1)](https://www.verywellhealth.com/hiv-1-5214349).4 [spinal tap](https://www.verywellhealth.com/lumbar-punctures-common-questions-answered-2488675), also called a lumbar puncture. Bacterial meningitis can pose a grave health threat because it can quickly lead to [encephalitis](https://www.verywellhealth.com/encephalitis-overview-5070339), a swelling of the tissues around the brain. [meninges](https://www.verywellhealth.com/meninges-anatomy-function-conditions-5190214), the membranes that cover your brain and spinal cord. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), tuberculosis is most prevalent in certain countries within Asia and Africa.34