Meningitis FAQs

Meningitis is a disease caused by the inflammation of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord, known as the meninges.  The inflammation is usually caused by an infection of the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord.  Meningitis may develop in response to a number of causes, usually bacteria or viruses, but meningitis can also be caused by phys ical injury, cancer or certain drugs.  The severity of the illness and the treatment for meningitis differ depending upon what has caused the meningitis.  Thus, it is important to know the specific cause of meningitis.  For example, meningitis caused by bacteria is generally more severe than meningitis caused by virus, fungus, or a parasite.  If you think you or someone else may have meningitis, see a physician as soon as possible.  Although it can be very serious, bacterial meningitis can be treated with antibiotics and reduce the spread of infection.  For information on meningitis symptoms and prevention, follow the CDC link below.  When a physician or laboratory reports a case of bacterial meningitis, a Public Health Nurse is assigned, in collaboration with the Health Officer, to investigate the case.  The objective is to determine the source of infection and locate any other person who may have been exposed.  A Public Health Nurse is on-call each weekday to receive and respond to these reports, and a 24-hour response system is available after hours to provide Public Health support for physicians reporting diseases.
For further information Phone: (707) 445-6200 Toll Free 1-866-597-1574 Centers for Dise ase Control and Prevention (CDC) http://www.cdc.gov/meningitis/index.html