Updated: July 2, 2025

What is Meningitis?

Meningitis is inflammation of the tissue that covers the spinal cord and brain. It is typically due to an infection of the lining and fluid around the brain and spinal cord. Meningitis usually makes someone very sick and requires hospitalization.

There are several types of germs that can cause meningitis, including bacteria and viruses and other less common ones such as fungi, parasites, or amoebae.