Matriculating students are also required complete he Meningitis section of the form, sign that they have read and received the information on meningitis and return the completed Medical History Form to Princeton University Health Services by the deadline date published on the form. A brochure on meningitis is included with the Medical History Form materials. Sentate Bill S807. Under legislative revision. Meningitis is an infection of the fluid of a person's spinal cord and the fluid that surrounds the brain.
People sometimes refer to it as spinal meningitis.
Meningitis is usually caused by a viral or bacterial infection. Knowing whether meningitis is caused by a virus or bacterium is important because the severity of illness and the treatment differ. Viral meningitis is generally less severe and resolves without specific treatment, while bacterial meningitis can be quite severe and may result in brain damage, hearing loss, or learning disability. For bacterial meningitis, it is also important to know which type of bacteria is causing the meningitis because antibiotics can prevent some types from spreading and infecting other people. Today, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Neisseria meningitidis are the leading causes of bacterial meningitis.