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Block letters spelling "meningitis".

Meningitis

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Meningitis is swelling of the lining of the brain and spinal cord. A virus or bacteria usually causes it.

Facts About... Meningitis

Bacterial meningitis

Meningitis caused by bacteria can be life threatening, and needs immediate medical attention.

Many types of bacteria can cause the infection. Bacterial meningitis does not spread easily from person to person. For the bacteria to spread there must be contact with nose or throat fluids of someone with the infection.

Antibiotics treat the infection. There are also vaccines to help protect against some kinds of bacterial meningitis.

Viral meningitis

Meningitis caused by a virus is serious. However, it is less severe than bacterial meningitis.

The virus spread through the respiratory secretions or stool of someone who has the infection.

Healthy people with viral meningitis usually get better on their own. There are vaccines to prevent some kinds of the infection.

Invasive meningococcal disease

Invasive meningococcal disease is a serious bacterial infection, caused by the Neisseria meningitides bacteria. The bacteria invade the body and cause serious disease--meningitis or septicemia, an infection of the blood stream. Having meningitis does not always mean that you have invasive meningococcal disease.

The bacteria spread through contact with fluid from the nose or throat of someone who has the infection. Some people carry these bacteria in their nose or throat without getting sick.

This infection needs immediate medical attention. Antibiotics treat the infection. The most important way to prevent invasive meningococcal disease is to vaccinate both you and your children. Talk to your health care provider about which vaccine is right for you.

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