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Meningitis
Make it clearer
Meningitis is inflammation of the meninges, the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Picture this delicate covering becoming swollen and irritated around the central nervous system.
The word meningitis identifies the inflamed structure, but it does not identify the cause. Viruses, bacteria, fungi, parasites, and noninfectious conditions can all cause it. Determining a specific cause requires a separate evaluation; this card does not make that determination.
In brief
Meningitis is inflammation of the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord.
Picture the meninges as a delicate covering around the brain and spinal cord that becomes swollen and inflamed in meningitis. That inflammation defines the condition.
It can result from viral, bacterial, fungal, or parasitic infections as well as noninfectious causes, so the name describes the inflammation rather than a single cause.
Sources (1)
- Centers for Disease Control and PreventionAbout MeningitisPublished
This page explains the topic in general terms; it does not tell anyone what treatment to follow.
Updated