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Understanding Meningitis -- Symptoms

While meningitis is rare, it's a serious and potentially life-threatening disease. So it's a good idea to know typical meningitis symptoms. The most common are:

Stiff neck, sometimes so stiff that it's difficult to touch the chin to the chest
Headache, sometimes severe
High fever
Nausea or vomiting
Rash. The rash often begins looking like pinpricks and then becomes reddish or purple. While most rashes blanch -- or turn white -- when you press on them with a finger, the rash caused by meningitis will not.
Confusion
Discomfort from bright lights
Sleepiness
Seizures

Sometimes, these symptoms follow a flu-like illness, ear infection, or sinus infection.

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Meningitis: 12 Frequently Asked Questions

Meningitis can be a very serious disease. If you or someone you love is at increased risk for meningitis, you may have lots of questions. Here are answers to some of the most common questions about meningitis. 1. What is meningitis? Meningitis occurs when the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord, called the meninges, become inflamed. It is usually caused by an infection. This disease can be fatal or cause serious lasting side effects. 2. What are the causes of meningitis? ...

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If your child is too young to talk, you may have a hard time detecting some of these symptoms. So in infants and young children, the only evident meningitis symptoms might be:

Fever with cold hands and feet
Lethargy
Irritability
Difficulty feeding
High-pitched cry
Pale or blotchy skin
Crying when held
Arching back

The speed with which meningitis symptoms develop varies. Bacterial meningitis symptoms come on quickly, usually over a period of hours. With viral meningitis, symptoms might develop over several days.

Meningitis Symptoms: When to See a Doctor

Of course, what's disturbing about the above list of meningitis symptoms, especially for a parent, is that most are incredibly common.

So here's one important thing to keep in mind. Beyond any of the specific meningitis symptoms, children or adults with bacterial meningitis -- the most serious type -- usually become very ill very quickly.

Even though the odds of getting meningitis are very small, you should still err on the side of caution. If you or a family member have been exposed to meningitis or have worrisome meningitis symptoms, give your doctor a call. If the meningitis symptoms seem severe, go to the emergency room right away. Getting prompt treatment for meningitis can make all the difference.

WebMD Medical Reference

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