Understanding Meningitis

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What is bacterial meningitis?

Meningitis is a serious infection of the meninges, the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. It is a devastating disease and remains a major public health challenge. The disease can be caused by many different pathogens including bacteria, fungi or viruses, but the highest global burden is seen with bacterial meningitis.

Where does the word meningitis come from?

The word meningitis comes from the Greek μῆνιγξ meninx, 'membrane', and the medical suffix -itis, 'inflammation'.

Is meningitis acute or chronic?

Chronic meningitis. When meningitis has lasted a month or more, it’s called chronic meningitis. Acute meningitis. Bacterial meningitis is often acute, meaning that symptoms are severe and come on suddenly. Who is at an increased risk of meningitis?

Is meningitis common?

Meningitis is not common, but it can be very serious and requires urgent medical treatment. There are many viral and bacterial infections that can cause meningitis, and sometimes meningitis happens because of a complication from another illness such as measles or chickenpox. Bacterial meningitis can get worse very quickly.

What is meningitis & how is it treated?

Meningitis is an infection and inflammation of the fluid and membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. These membranes are called meninges. The inflammation from meningitis typically triggers symptoms such as headache, fever and a stiff neck. Most cases of meningitis in the United States are caused by a viral infection.

What is a meningitis roadmap?

The strategy was approved in the first ever resolution on meningitis by the World Health Assembly in 2020 and endorsed unanimously by WHO member states. The roadmap sets a comprehensive vision “Towards a world free of meningitis” and has 3 visionary goals:

What Is Meningitis

1. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/meningitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20350508
2. https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/meningitis
3. https://www.healthline.com/health/meningitis
4. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/meningitis
5. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/14600-meningitis
6. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meningitis
7. https://brainfoundation.org.au/disorders/meningitis/

Meningitis Information

1. https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/meningitis
2. https://www.rch.org.au/kidsinfo/fact_sheets/Meningitis/
3. https://www.msdmanuals.com/home/brain,-spinal-cord,-and-nerve-disorders/meningitis/introduction-to-meningitis