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Meningitis – Signs and Symptoms

Inflammation of the membranes (lining) of the brain and spinal cord, caused by viral, bacterial or rarely fungal infections. It should always be taken seriously, especially in babies, children, teenagers and young adults as it can be life-threatening.

Meningitis Symptoms

• Neck Stiffness: it is not possible to bend the head forward and bending the neck exacerbates the headache
• Headache, usually severe in intensity and generalised
• Vomiting
• General feeling of being ill and unusually irritable (this may be a significant symptom in a baby or child)
• Fever
• Purple rash
• Exposure to light is extremely painful (photobia)
• May be double vision
• Consciousness impaired, drowsiness and confusion
• May be painful, swollen and protruding eyes with restricted movement caused by blood clots in the tissues behind the eyes
• Progressive drowsiness
• May be convulsions
• May unconsiousness and coma

In children or babies also:

• May be red flecks in the whites of the eyes
• May be bulging in the baby's head, caused by increased pressure in the head forcing its way through the soft parts of a baby's skull
• Infant is extremely irritable and does not want to be touched
• May be convulsions
• May cause permanent deafness

Medical help should be sought immediately. It is particularly severe in children and young adults, and can develop extremely quickly, possibly leading to collapse and death. A vaccination is available for the most common type of Meningitis.