inflammation of the meninges, and especially of the pia mater and the arachnoid, of the brain; can be caused by various infectious agents, including viruses, fungi, and protozoa, but bacteria produce the most life-threatening forms
infectious disease characterized by inflammation of the meninges (the tissues that surround the brain or spinal cord) usually caused by a bacterial infection; symptoms include headache and stiff neck and fever and nausea
n (men-in-JIE-tis) Inflammation of the meninges (any of the three membranes that envelop the brain and spinal cord) Meningitis is also a disease (usually bacterial) in which inflammation of the meninges occurs
Meningitis is a serious infectious illness which affects your brain and spinal cord. a serious illness in which the outer part of the brain becomes swollen (meninx + -itis). Inflammation of the meninges. Bacteria (including meningococcus, among others), often from infection elsewhere, produce the most dangerous forms. Symptoms develop rapidly: vomiting, then severe bursting headache, then stiff neck. Young children may have convulsions. The patient may die within hours. Pus in cerebrospinal fluid can block brain passages and spinal spaces, leading to life-threatening hydrocephalus. Speedy diagnosis (by lumbar puncture) and treatment (with antibiotics) can prevent brain damage and death. Viral meningitis usually has a short course and requires no therapy