Meningitis symptoms

Meningitis results from the inflammation of the meninges (the thin membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord). It is usually caused by a viral or bacterial infection. Most cases of meningitis are viral, but it can be hard to tell the difference without medical tests. It is extremely important to determine the type of infection (and bacteria), because bacterial meningitis tends to be much more serious and requires emergency treatment. Viral meningitis usually clears up on its own and does not cause any permanent harm. Bacterial meningitis can cause brain damage, learning disabilities, hearing loss, or even death without treatment for the specific type of bacteria. Meningitis can also be caused by fungal infections (cryptococcus), but that is rare.

Signs and Symptoms

Early symptoms of meningitis can easily be mistaken for the flu. In newborns, signs and symptoms include the following:

• Irritability
• High-pitched cry
• Poor feeding
• Vomiting
• Fever
• Seizures
• Bulging fontanelle ("soft spot" in the skull) or stiff neck (less common)

In children and young adults, signs and symptoms include the following:

• High fever
• Severe headache
• Vomiting or nausea
• Stiff neck
• Sensitivity to light
• Drowsiness
• Skin rash
• Confusion
• Seizures
• Clouding or loss of consciousness

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