Date updated: June 01, 2009
Content provided by US National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

Also called: Meningococcal Disease, Spinal Meningitis, aseptic meningitis, purulent meningitis

Meningitis or Meningococcal Disease is an infectious disease which affects the brain or the spinal cord. If the spinal chord is affected it is known as Spinal Meningitis. Meningitis is an infection that causes inflammation of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord known as the meninges. Non-bacterial meningitis is often referred to as aseptic meningitis. Bacterial meningitis may be referred to as purulent meningitis. One of the bacterial meningitis is caused by the meningo coccus (Neisseria meningitidis) is known as Meningococcal Disease also referred to as cerebrospinal meningitis. It is spread by person-to-person contact through respiratory droplets of infected people. There are several types of Meningitis. The most common is viral meningitis, which you get when a virus enters the body through the nose or mouth and travels to the brain. Viral meningitis is milder and occurs more often than bacterial meningitis. Bacterial meningitis is rare, but can be deadly. It usually starts with bacteria that cause a cold-like infection. It can block blood vessels in the brain and lead to stroke and brain damage. It can also harm other organs. Anyone can get meningitis, but it is more common in people whose bodies have trouble fighting infections. Meningitis can progress rapidly. You should seek medical care quickly if you have a sudden fever, a severe headache or a stiff neck. Early treatment can help prevent serious problems, including death. Vaccines can prevent some of the bacterial infections that cause meningitis. Parents of adolescents and students living in college dorms should talk to a doctor about the vaccination.