meningitis
meningitis (men-in-jy-tis) n. an inflammation of the meninges due to viral, bacterial, or fungal infection. Meningitis causes an intense headache, fever, loss of appetite, intolerance to light and sound, rigidity of muscles, especially those in the neck (see also Kernig's sign), and in severe cases convulsions, vomiting, and delirium leading to death. Bacterial meningitis is treated with antibiotics administered as soon as possible after diagnosis. meningococcal m. a serious form of bacterial meningitis, caused by the meningococcus (most importantly, strains B and C), that can lead to widespread infection and meningococcal septicaemia. pneumococcal m. a form of bacterial meningitis caused by the pneumococcus. See also Hib vaccine, meningitis C vaccine, pneumococcal vaccine.
www.meningitis.org Website of the Meningitis Research Foundation
www.meningitis.org Website of the Meningitis Research Foundation
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meningitis
