Meningitis is an inflammation of the brain and spinal cord. Several bacteria cause meningitis, including meningococcus, pneumococcus and Haemophilus influenzae type b. Some viruses, such as measles and mumps, can also cause meningitis. Viral meningitis often not only causes inflammation of the brain and spinal cord, but it also affects the brain itself. This is called meningoencephalitis.

In this video, Drs. Paul Offit and Anjuli Gans from Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia talk about meningitis, what causes it, how it’s treated, and its tendency to cause lingering effects. They also share their experiences treating babies and teens with meningitis and discuss the importance of vaccination for preventing infection.

00:00 Introduction
00:14 Complications of bacterial meningitis
01:40 Diagnosing meningitis in babies
02:18 Meningitis can be frightening
02:37 Bacterial vs. viral meningitis
03:03 Group B strep meningitis
03:32 What parents of newborns are sometimes not aware of
03:54 Vaccines & travel
04:29 Lingering effects of meningitis

For more detailed information, visit the following webpages about:
Meningococcus, https://bit.ly/3wGsST8

Pneumococcus, https://bit.ly/3wBpMjq

Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), https://bit.ly/3sJIZhI

Video created by and for the Vaccine Education Center at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

The Vaccine Education Center at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (VEC at CHOP) is composed of scientists, physicians, mothers, and fathers devoted to the study and prevention of infectious diseases. The Center was launched in October 2000 to provide accurate, comprehensive and up-to-date information about vaccines and the diseases they prevent.

If you have any questions about your child’s health, please contact your child’s doctor. This video is intended only to provide general education and not intended to create a doctor-patient relationship between you and The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). It is not medical advice or treatment, and CHOP is not responsible for any outcomes you or your child might experience from your use of this video. This video is provided “AS IS” with no warranties or representations. This video is copyright of CHOP. All rights reserved. ©2022 The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.