World Meningitis Day

World Meningitis Day is April 24, every year. The goal is to spread the word about meningitis, how to spot it, and what causes it. It’s also a day to promote the importance of vaccines.

Meningitis is an inflammation of the fluid and membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord. Every year more than 1 million people worldwide are affected by meningitis.

There are three main types of meningitis infection: bacterial, viral, and environmental. Infection is by far the most common cause of meningitis and is caused by many different germs: viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites.

Aftereffects can be life-changing and may include: memory loss, deafness, loss of sight, epilepsy, paralysis, limb loss, organ damage, and brain damage.

History

World Meningitis Day is an initiative of the worldwide Confederation of Meningitis Organizations (CoMO) which began in 2008.