Neisseria Meningitis Symptoms

Neisseria meningitis, more commonly known as bacterial meningitis, is a disease that infects the spinal fluid and/or the fluid in and around the outer covering of the brain. This disease is extremely contagious and can be fatal if left untreated. Anyone experiencing some or all of the symptoms of meningitis should seek immediate medical attention.

Brain

• Individuals with meningitis may experience confusion (difficulty performing everyday tasks), photophobia (sensitivity to light) and/or seizures. Individuals with meningitis may also become comatose if the disease isn't treated immediately.

Gastrointestinal

• Meningitis may cause nausea and vomiting. These symptoms are very common, but they can be severe in some cases, and may present as extreme stomach discomfort and/or projectile vomiting.

Muscles/Skeleton

• Meningitis typically causes stiffening of the muscles in the neck, which may make it difficult or impossible to move the neck without severe pain.

Skin

• An individual with meningitis will typically develop a rash. This rash usually appears as a series of reddish bumps grouped on the arms, torso and legs.

Temperature

• Individuals with meningitis typically have high fevers. These fevers may be in excess of 105 degrees F in some cases, but most will develop a fever of around 103.1 degrees F.