Definition: Meningitis is an inflammation of the meninges - the membranes that wrap and insulate the brain and nerves in the central nervous system. The meninges protect and insulate the critical components of the central nervous system from insult or damage.
Meningitis can be caused by either bacterial or viral infections. It can also be caused by certain types of injury and cancer, although these forms of meningitis are rare.
Symptoms of meningitis may include stiff neck, vomiting, fever, and headache. Although these symptoms are similar to those of encephalitis, encephalitis is an inflammation of the brain itself, while meningitis affects the membranes that surround it.
Examples:
One common type of bacterial meningitis is caused by meningococcal disease. Meningococcal meningitis can be prevented by the meningococcal vaccine. The CDC recommends this vaccine for children and adolescents aged 11 to 18, college students living in dormitories, and other individuals at high risk of exposure to meningococcal bacteria - including military recruits.
Sources:
CDC "Meningococcal Vaccines - What You Need To Know." Accessed Online 12/11/2010 at http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/vis/downloads/vis-mening.pdf
