Glossary

Here are definitions of medical terms related to meningitis.

Antibiotic: A drug that weakens or destroys bacteria; used to treat various types of bacterial infections.

Cerebral spinal fluid: The fluid that surrounds and cushions the brain and spinal cord.

Enteroviruses: Viruses that live in the gut and are usually shed in the feces and in discharges from the mouth and nose.

Lumbar puncture: A procedure that uses a needle inserted in the lower back to remove a small amount of cerebral spinal fluid for testing.

Meninges: Three-layer lining that protects and cushions the brain and spinal cord.

Septicemia: An infection in the bloodstream that results from some cases of meningococcal meningitis. It is characterized by a rash caused by broken blood vessels.

Ultrasound: A harmless pain free test that uses sound waves to create pictures of the inside of the body