Symptoms of Meningitis
When someone is diagnosed with meningitis, it means that they have an illness that causes the membranes that protect the brain and spinal cord to swell. Meningitis is dangerous because the swelling puts pressure on the brain and spinal cord. This swelling can lead to paralysis and, in some cases, even death. The most common cause of meningitis is illness, but it can also be caused by a cancer, an injury, or it can even be a reaction to a medication. Most doctors will tell you that viral meningitis is the easiest to treat.
If you have hit your head or injured your back, it is important that you lie as still as possible. Movement can increase the meningitis and increase the risk of permanent disability. In this situation, you should have someone call the paramedics and wait until they are able to move you with a backboard and neck brace.
If you have been around someone who was recently diagnosed with viral or bacterial meningitis, you should go to the hospital and make sure that you were not infected with the disease. The first and most effective lines of defense against meningitis are early detection and prompt treatment.
If you suspect that you have meningitis, it is extremely critical that you seek treatment immediately. The sooner a doctor is able to treat your meningitis, the more likely you are to avoid permanent disability.
Symptoms of Meningitis in Adults
One of the first symptoms of meningitis an adult will probably notice is that the back of their neck is extremely stiff. If you suddenly notice that you are having a difficult time touching your chin to your chest, you should make an appointment with your doctor.
A second early sign of meningitis is an extreme sensitivity to light, especially sunlight. The light sensitivity, combined with a severe headache and a tingling sensation that seems to be spreading through your body, mean you should get to the hospital as quickly as possible.
Other symptoms of meningitis include vomiting, a sudden high fever, seizures, and abrupt dizzy spells.
Symptoms of Meningitis in Children
Because small children can’t always express how they are feeling, there are several things parents should look for that might be symptoms of meningitis. Possible symptoms include lethargy, poor diet, arching the back, vomiting, and pale or blotchy skin.
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