meningitis: Quick Facts

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Sep. 25, 2026

Photos

Clusters of Neisseria meningitidis bacteria, shown as textured pink spherical pairs, rest on a grayish surface in a highly magnified, computer-generated image.

Hemophilus influenzae bacteria

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Topics

viral meningitis meningococcal meningitis tuberculous meningitis meningoencephalitis meninges meningococcus nervous system disease polio cephalic disorder subdural hematoma subarachnoid hemorrhage neural tube defect kuru syringomyelia ataxia lymphocytic choriomeningitis Minamata disease

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Key People

Maurice Hilleman

Maurice Hilleman

American microbiologist

Alexander, Hattie Elizabeth

Hattie Elizabeth Alexander

American physician and microbiologist

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