meningitis

Meningitis is a disease in which there is an inflammation of the membranes that cover the neck and spinal cord, known as meninges. Meningitis tends to have mild consequences if it is caused by a virus, however, if the cause is a bacterium, then the consequences of the disease can be very serious, even leading to death. Meningitis typically starts with a headache, a fever, a stiff neck or feeling tired and sleepy. For this reason, in some cases, it can be confused with the flu, a cold or tiredness. Nevertheless, if you get red or purple patches on your skin that do not disappear when pressing on them, you must go to the hospital immediately.

Meningitis can affect the entire population, however, children under 5, and young people ranging 15 to 24 years of age tend to be at more risk of getting the disease. Vaccination is currently the best defence against meningitis, although it cannot prevent all types of meningitis.

This word comes from the ancient Greek meninx-, meaning ‘membrane’, and -itis, meaning ‘inflammation’.