Okay, quick biology lesson—don’t worry, I’ll keep it light. Meningitis is just a fancy word for inflammation of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. In babies, it’s usually caused by a bacterial or viral infection, and bacterial types are the scary ones.
The problem? Babies under six months haven’t built up a strong immune shield, and their skull bones aren’t fully fused yet. (Fun fact: their soft spot—the fontanelle—can actually bulge from the pressure. Creepy, right?)
And here’s the kicker: classic symptoms like a stiff neck or a raging fever are often missing. Instead, your baby might just act “a little tired.” Sound familiar? Yeah, that’s why it’s so dangerous.
