Meningitis is any inflammation of the meninges, a membrane which surrounds the brain and spinal cord, enclosing the cerebrospinal fluid which bathes the central nervous system. Spinal meningitis is a common presentation of meningitis, where the spinal cord rather than the brain is mostly affected. The most serious meningitis is bacterial meningitis, which requires treatment with antibiotics.
Bacterial meningitis can indeed be infectious, even epidemic, in schools.
Someone infected, and perhaps their close contacts, may need quarantine until treated. Rarely, meningitis is non-infectious. In general, everyone is susceptible. Next Article Return to Main Article Article complete. Click HERE to return to the Neurology Web-Forum Menu.