<unk>  is an acute inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord, known collectively as the meninges. The most common symptoms are fever, headache, and neck stiffness. Other symptoms include confusion or altered consciousness, vomiting, and an inability to tolerate light or loud noises. Young children often exhibit only nonspecific symptoms, such as irritability, drowsiness, or poor feeding. If a rash is present, it may indicate a particular cause of<unk> ; for instance,<unk>  caused by meningococcal bacteria may be accompanied by a characteristic rash. The inflammation may be caused by infection with viruses, bacteria or other microorganisms, and less commonly by certain drugs.<unk>  can be life-threatening because of the inflammation's proximity to the brain and spinal cord; therefore, the condition is classified as a medical emergency. A lumbar puncture, in which a needle is inserted into the spinal canal to collect a sample of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), can diagnose or exclude<unk> . Some forms of<unk>  are preventable by immunization with the meningococcal, mumps, pneumococcal, and Hib vaccines. Giving antibiotics to people with significant exposure to certain types of<unk>  may also be useful. The first treatment in acute<unk>  consists of promptly giving antibiotics and sometimes antiviral drugs. Corticosteroids can also be used to prevent complications from excessive inflammation.<unk>  can lead to serious long-term consequences such as deafness, epilepsy, hydrocephalus, or cognitive deficits, especially if not treated quickly. In 2017,<unk>  occurred in about 10.6 million people worldwide. This resulted in 288,000 deaths—down from 464,000 deaths in 1990. With appropriate treatment, the risk of death in bacterial<unk>  is less than 15%. Outbreaks of bacterial<unk>  occur between December and June each year in an area of sub-Saharan Africa known as the<unk>  belt. Smaller outbreaks may also occur in other areas of the world. The word<unk>  comes from the Greek μῆνιγξ meninx, "membrane", and the medical suffix -itis, "inflammation".
Meningitis
Lyme disease
Cerebritis
Naegleriasis
Encephalitis
Meningoencephalitis
Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
Meninges