What is meningitis and is it contagious?

Pediatrician Lawrence Ross, MD Infectious Disease, shares advice for parents on the causes and symptoms of meningitis in children
What Is Meningitis And Is It Contagious?
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What is meningitis and is it contagious?

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Meningitis is a general word or term that we use that tells us that a patient has inflammation or swelling of the coverings of their brain and the spinal cord. There are many, many different kinds of infections that can cause Meningitis; many viruses, many bacteria, as well as things like fungi. Depending on what's causing it, it may be very mild and children can recover quickly. In some cases, it could be a bad virus or a bad germ that can be very severe, cause hospitalization, and even threaten the life of a child.

Pediatrician Lawrence Ross, MD Infectious Disease, shares advice for parents on the causes and symptoms of meningitis in children

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Lawrence Ross, MD

Pediatrician, Infectious Disease, Children's Hospital Los Angeles

Dr. Lawrence A. Ross is a pediatrician and expert in infectious diseases.  He has been a full-time member of the Division of Infectious Disease at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles since 1978 and has served as Hospital Infection Control Officer as well as the Chairperson of the Infection Control Committee for 20 years.  He is also a Professor of Clinical Pediatrics at the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California.  Dr. Ross graduated from the University of Illinois and subsequently attended medical school at the Chicago Medical School in Chicago. He completed residency training in Pediatrics at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, followed by fellowships in Pediatric Infectious Diseases at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and the Los Angeles County/University of Southern California School of Medicine. From 1981-1985, Dr. Ross served as the coordinator of the intern and residency program at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. His areas of interest have included epidemiology of nosocomial infections as well as clinical aspects of care for patients with immune compromising diseases including patients with HIV infection. 

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