Pneumococci cause over 50% of all cases of bacterial meningitis in the United States. An estimated 2,000 cases of pneumococcal meningitis occur each year. Some patients with pneumococcal meningitis also have pneumonia. The clinical symptoms, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) profile, and neurologic complications are similar to other forms of purulent bacterial meningitis. Symptoms may include:

• Fever and chills
• Mental status changes
• Nausea and vomiting
• Sensitivity to light (photophobia)
• Severe headache
• Stiff neck
• Severe headache

​Other symptoms that can occur with this disease:

• Fever and chills
• Mental status changes
• Nausea and vomiting
• Sensitivity to light (photophobia)
• Severe headache
• Stiff neck
• Severe headache

​The case-fatality rate of pneumococcal meningitis is about 8% among children and 22% among adults. Neurologic sequelae are common among survivors. Persons with a cochlear implant appear to be at increased risk of pneumococcal meningitis.

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(1) Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Bacterial Meningitis.
https://www.cdc.gov/meningitis/bacterial.html .

(2) Healthline.com. Pneumococcal Meningitis.
https://www.healthline.com/health/meningitis-pneumococcal
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(3) Meningitis Research Foundation of Canada. Pneumococcal Meningitis.
​https://www.meningitis.ca/en/PneumococcalMeningitis