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Meningitis Signs and Symptoms

Meningitis can cause death in severe cases. Considered an inflammation of the membranes that cover the spinal cord and brain, meningitis can be either viral or bacterial. With viral meningitis being the most common, it's important to get a proper diagnosis early because treatment depends on a correct diagnosis. Viral meningitis may be more common, but it is usually mild compared with bacterial meningitis. Left untreated, or unnoticed, bacterial meningitis can quickly become severe.

  1. Signs and Symptoms

    • Meningitis is characterized by the sudden onset of fever, headache and stiff neck. Other accompanying symptoms can be nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light and altered mental status. In adults, you may also experience sleepiness or a difficult time waking up as well as lack of appetite. Seizures are also possible as the disease progresses.

    Infants

    • Infants and small children may display different symptoms than adults. Because the classic symptoms, other than fever, are hard to detect in children under the age of 2, you need to be especially aware of other possible signs. Your child may be irritable, vomiting or appear inactive. If your child is sick and starts to exhibit difficulty eating and has a hard time waking up, she may be displaying signs of meningitis.

    Viral Meningitis

    • Viral meningitis is the most common form and can be caused by several viruses, including enteroviruses, mumps, influenza and measles. Symptoms can take several days to appear. It may start as a cold, and the symptoms may suddenly include a stiff neck and sensitivity to light, which is common with meningitis. It typically will run its course within seven to 10 days in somebody who has a normal immune system

    Bacterial Meningitis

    • Bacterial meningitis is more dangerous than viral meningitis. The most important thing to do when bacterial meningitis is found is to determine which bacteria are responsible. Your physician can determine this by doing a spinal tap and examining the spinal fluid for bacteria. Brain damage, hearing loss and learning disabilities are all potential outcomes of bacterial meningitis if left untreated.

    Treatment

    • For viral meningitis, no recommended treatment exists. Typically, it runs its course in seven to 10 days, and further treatment isn't usually necessary. For those at risk of complications from meningitis, usually those with weakened immune systems such as the young and the elderly, a hospital stay may be warranted. In bacterial cases, once the bacteria are identified, a treatment course of antibiotics can begin. With the appropriate antibiotics used in a timely manner, your chance of death from bacterial meningitis is less than 15 percent.

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