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What is Meningitis?
 Meningitis is an infection of the fluid of a person’s spinal
cord and the fluid that surrounds the brain. It is sometimes
referred to as spinal meningitis. The disease is usually
caused by a viral or bacterial infection. The severity of the
disease depends on whether is caused by bacteria or virus.
Viral meningitis is usually less severe and can be cured
without specific treatment, but bacterial meningitis is far
more serious and may result in brain damage, hearing loss,
learning disability or even death. Early diagnosis and
identifying the specific type of bacteria that caused the
meningitis can be significant because antibiotics can prevent
some types from spreading and infecting other people.
Meningitis, also known as meningococcal disease, strikes
nearly 3,000 Americans annually. Adolescents and young adults
are particularly at increased risk of getting infected.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, 10 percent to 12
percent of bacterial meningitis cases are fatal, which amounts
to about 350 cases annually. Among those who survive, about 20
percent suffer from long-term consequences such as brain
damage, kidney disease, hearing loss or loss of limbs.
The disease is especially significant among college students,
since studies show freshmen living in dorms are particularly
vulnerable to meningococcal disease. Adolescents and young
adults may be at increased risk for infection due to certain
lifestyle factors, such as crowded living conditions such as
dormitories; attending school at a new school from
geographically diverse areas; sharing utensils or beverages;
active or passive smoking and irregular sleeping patterns.
Other high-risk groups include infants and young children,
refugees, household contacts of case patients and military
personnel.
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