A meningitis headache won’t ease up after taking over the counter pain pills. If a severe headache is felt without the presence of other common meningitis symptoms, the cause of the headache may be another illness. If the headache persists for more than a day or so, see a doctor.
The fever related to meningitis is generally around 101 degrees, and any fever over 103 Fahrenheit is cause for concern.
If this symptom arises, have the person lie flat on his back and ask him to bend or flex his hips. When they do this, it should cause pain in the neck. This is a sign of meningitis.
He may not act himself and be overall more drowsy and lethargic than usual. In rare cases, this can make the person anywhere from barely rousable to comatose.
This may manifest by a general sensitivity or fear of bright lights at first. Watch for this behavior if other symptoms occur as well.
If the person has epilepsy or a history of seizures, they may not be a symptom of meningitis. If you encounter someone having a seizure, call 911. Roll them on their side and move any objects that he may hit themselves on away from the area. Most seizures stop on their own within one to two minutes. [9] X Trustworthy Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services Go to source
Press a glass against the rash. Use a clear glass so you can see the skin through it. If the skin under the glass does not turn white, this indicates that blood poisoning may have occurred. Go to the hospital immediately. Not all types of meningitis have a rash. The absence of a rash should not be taken as a sign that a person does not have meningitis.
With good vaccination compliance, the number of cases of bacterial meningitis have decreased. Viral meningitis still presents but presentation is mild and self-limited, with minimal care needed.
Crying caused by meningitis usually can’t be comforted. Look for differences in the baby’s normal crying patterns. Some parents report that babies become even more upset when they are picked up if meningitis is the issue. Meningitis may cause babies to produce a cry that is higher-pitched than normal. [14] X Research source
The child may also feel pain around their neck and back. It may be simple stiffness at first, but if the child seems in pain when moved, it may be more severe. Watch to see if she automatically brings her feet up to her chest when you bend their neck forward or is she has pain when her legs are bent. She may also be unable to straighten her lower legs if her hips are at a 90 degree angle. This presents in infants most often when their diapers are changed and you cannot pull their legs out.
Despite it being possible to be spread by person to person contact, outbreaks of viral meningitis are rare. [19] X Trustworthy Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services Go to source
Certain people are at higher risk, such as those who do not have spleens and those who are older. Vaccination for these individuals is protocol. [21] X Research source Hoffman, Olaf R. and Joeng Weber, Pathophysiology and Treatment of Bacterial Meningitis, Therapeutic Advanced Neurological Disorders , 2009, 2(6) 1-7
It also has the distinction of causing a “petechial” rash, meaning a rash that looks like lots of tiny bruises, and this is an important distinction to note. Vaccination is recommended for all adolescents 11 to 12 years of age, with a booster at age 16. If no prior vaccine was given and the patient is 16, only one vaccination is required. [23] X Research source Pathophysiology of Meningiocococcal Meningitis and Septicemia Journal of Clinical Pathology, 56(12), 941 doi 10. 1136/jcp 5612. 941
Obtaining an accurate vaccination history, preferably from the actual medical record or yellow vaccine card, is critical when this, or any, form of meningitis is considered. [24] X Trustworthy Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services Go to source
The optimal prevention in an HIV infected individual is compliance with antiretroviral therapy to keep viral loads low and T cells high to protect from this type of infection. [25] X Trustworthy Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services Go to source
All children ages 11-18 U. S. military recruits Anyone who has a damaged spleen or whose spleen has been removed College freshmen living in dormitories Microbiologists exposed to meningococcal bacteria Anyone who has terminal complement component deficiency (an immune system disorder) Anyone traveling to countries which have an outbreak of meningococcal disease Those who might have been exposed to meningitis during an outbreak
