Imagine your brain like an orange:
It has a peel and a soft white layer just under the peel. That thin layer protects the fruit.

Your brain has a similar protective layer called the meninges. It wraps around your brain and spinal cord to keep them safe from harmful invaders.

But sometimes, a bad villain, like a germ, sneaks in and attacks the meninges. When that happens, the layer gets swollen and inflamed. That is called meningitis.

Meningitis can cause fever, headaches, nausea, confusion, and a stiff neck. It is serious, but doctors know how to treat it.