l Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Infection is either by bacteria, a virus or a fungus.
l It is a rare disease with flu-like symptoms. A small rash that looks like burst blood vessels is a late sign of meningococcal meningitis.
l About one in five people carry meningococcus bacteria without developing the disease.
l Meningococcus requires contact with the mucus or saliva of an infected person through kissing, sharing glasses, eating utensils, cigarettes or lipstick.
l Bacterial meningitis can be treated with antibiotics and fungal meningitis with anti-fungal drugs, but there is no specific treatment for viral meningitis.
Sources: Centres for Disease Control, WHO, Meningitis Research Foundation of Canada)