Meningitis
Inflammation of the meninges, the three membranes that envelop the brain and the spinal cord. Meningitis can be caused by infection by bacteria, viruses, and protozoa. Other causes include cancer (metastasis to the meninges), inflammatory diseases, and drugs. In some cases the cause of meningitis cannot be determined. The treatment depends on the cause of the meningitis.
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- Meningitis vaccine
1906-1910) showed that college students who live on campus have triple the risk of acquiring meningococcal infection compared with their peers who live off-campus. Among the factors cited for a higher risk of the disease on campus were the relative crowding associated with dormitory residence, alcohol-related behaviors, and exposure to tobacco smoke. The same factors […]
- Meningitis, aseptic
Inflammation of the meninges that is not caused by bacterial infection. Viral meningitis is the most common cause of aseptic meningitis, but other causes include systemic lupus erythematosus, cancers, Behcet’s disease, medications, and others. See also meningitis, viral.
- Meningitis, bacterial
Inflammation of the meninges due to a bacterial infection. Haemophilus influenzae type B (HIB) was formerly the leading cause of bacterial meningitis before the 1990s, but childhood vaccinationshave reduced the occurrence of meningitis due to H. influenzae. Streptococcus pneumoniae and Neisseria meningitidis are the leading causes of bacterial meningitis. High fever, headache, and stiff neck […]
- Meningitis, benign recurrent aseptic
Recurring meninges without identifiable cause that leaves no residual damage to the nervous system. Benign recurrent aseptic meningitis is also called Mollaret meningitis. The cause of benign recurrent aseptic meningitis is not known. Benign recurrent aseptic meningitis is distinguished from viral meningitis by its recurrent character with symptom-free intervals between episodes. Symptoms include headache, neckache, […]
- Meningitis, infectious
Inflammation of the meninges due to bacterial, viral, or protozoan infection. Most of the agents known to cause meningitis are infectious, but very few people exposed to them develop meningitis. Those at greatest risk for infectious meningitis include people with AIDS, infants, transplant patients, and others whose immune systems may be compromised. For this reason, […]