Newborns and infants may not have the classic signs and symptoms of headache and stiff neck. Instead, signs of meningitis in this age group may include: High fever Constant crying Excessive sleepiness or irritability Inactivity or sluggishness Poor feeding A bulge in the soft spot on top of a baby's head (fontanel) Stiffness in a baby's body and neck

Inflammation of brain and spinal cord membranes, typically caused by an infection.Rare20,000 to 200,000 US cases per yearSome types preventable by vaccineTreatable by a medical professionalSpreads by airborne dropletsRequires a medical diagnosisLab tests or imaging always requiredShort-term: resolves within days to weeks