Bacterial Meningitis
Meningitis is a medical term that refers to the damaging of the brain and spinal cord. Meningitis can be caused by a number of viruses and bacteria. Aseptic meningitis is caused by a virus. Bacterial meningitis is caused by a bacteria.
The symptoms of meningitis vary depending on the cause of the meningitis. Effects on the central nervous system can be very mild and produce symptoms no worse than a headache, or they can be very severe and result in coma or death. Depending on the cause of the meningitis, other body systems may also be affected.
Information for the General Public
Information for Public Health Departments
Resources
- Centers for Disease Control & Prevention
- KidsHealth
- Mayo Clinic
- MedLine Plus
- National Foundation for Infectious Diseases
- National Meningitis Association