Final answer:
Meningitis is an infection of the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord. It can be caused by either viruses or bacteria, with the bacterial form being more serious and potentially life-threatening.
Step-by-step explanation:
Meningitis is the infection of the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord. It can be caused by either viruses or bacteria, with the bacterial form being more serious and potentially life-threatening. Symptoms of meningitis include fever, headache, and a stiff neck, and prompt medical treatment is necessary for bacterial meningitis. Other complications of meningitis can include brain damage and death.