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Meningitis Symptoms in Children

Meningitis is a serious medical condition that causes the membranes around the brain and spinal cord to swell. Bacterial meningitis is the most serious form of meningitis and it can be life-threatening. Viral meningitis is more common and is not as serious as the bacterial version. Both forms of meningitis may present flu-like symptoms in children.

  1. Fever

    • Meningitis may cause a high fever in children. A fever is typically one of the first noticeable symptoms of meningitis before the more serious symptoms develop.

    Headache and Sensitivity to Light

    • Children with meningitis may complain of a very severe headache that does not go away. Their eyes may also be more sensitive to light than normal.

    Stiff Neck

    • A stiff neck is one of the classic symptoms of meningitis and should be taken very seriously. This symptom is most common in older children. A child with meningitis may feel a great deal of pain in his neck when he drops his head towards his chest.

    Rash

    • Meningitis may also cause a rash on the body and cause frequent itching in children.

    In Infants

    • Infants with meningitis have different symptoms than older children. Their symptoms are more likely to include lethargy, unresponsiveness, a rigid neck or jaundice.

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