Each year a few thousand Americans contract a disease called meningitis, an infection of the membranes that protect the brain and spinal cord. Meningitis often strikes children, teens, and young adults and can cause serious permanent problems, such as brain damage or deafness. Even with medical care, some forms of meningitis are deadly. Through real-life case studies and information from experts, this book provides the tools young people need to help protect themselves and their family and friends from this serious disease.