A brain infection that can affect children, elderly, and people with weakened immune systems, meningitis can sometimes have serious complications. Proper medical treatment can usually relieve all symptoms, although some people can have lifelong consequences.
In this article, we’ll be going over the most common symptoms of meningitis.
Headache
One of the most common symptoms of meningitis is a strong, throbbing headache that can often be mistaken for a migraine. However, if you feel a severe headache combined with other symptoms from the list, contact your doctor.
Confusion
The swelling in the meninges (the membranes that protect the brain and spinal cord) can sometimes lead to memory loss and confusion. Children can experience concentration and learning problems.
Light Sensitivity
Sudden sensitivity to light (photophobia) caused by severe headaches is another typical symptom of meningitis. The headaches usually get worse when looking towards a light.
Nausea
The combination of brain swelling, headaches, and the body’s response to the illness can sometimes cause nausea and vomiting, especially in small children.
Sudden Fever
A common symptom of many infections, fever is one of the typical symptoms of meningitis. It’s a sign that your body’s defense mechanisms are working to fight off the invader.
Sleepiness
As meningitis affects our brain’s alertness, the person suffering from the infection may be hard to wake up or seem excessively sleepy during the day.
Stiff Neck
During the early stages of the infection, a baby or child may be reluctant to bend their head forward. This is usually due to neck pain and stiffness.
Fainting
As the swelling in the membranes keeps pressuring the brain, a person with meningitis may lose consciousness if the pressure becomes unbearable.
Conclusion
On their own, these symptoms of meningitis may not be that dangerous. But if you notice some of them together, contact your doctor so he or she can find an underlining cause.
