what are the symptoms of meningitis?

Answer 1

in children and toddlers : Photophobia(dont like bright lights)
fever,cold hands and feet
refusing food or vomitting
fretful dislikes being held
pale blotchy skin
blank staring
drowsy
stiff neck
high pitched cry

in children and adults;
fever cold hands and feet
vommiting
headache
stiff neck
photophobia
joint muscle pain
drowsy difficult to wake
confusion

dont wait for all symptoms to appear even if only a couple do phone docs ASAP better to be safe than sorry hope this helps.xx

Answer 2

Symptoms of bacterial meningitis usually develop suddenly, while those of viral meningitis may develop suddenly or gradually over a period of days. For example, the symptoms of viral meningitis after mumps may take several days or weeks to develop.

The most common symptoms of either form of meningitis include:

Fever.
Severe and persistent headache.
Stiff and painful neck, especially when trying to touch the chin to the chest.
Vomiting.
Confusion and decreased level of consciousness.
Seizures.
Other symptoms of meningitis include:

Sluggishness, muscle aches and weakness, and strange feelings (such as tingling) or weakness throughout the body.
Eye sensitivity and eye pain from bright lights.
Skin rash.
Dizzy spells.
The incubation period-the time from exposure to the infection to when the first symptoms develop-depends on the type of organism causing the infection.

Babies, young children, older adults, and people with other medical conditions may not have the usual symptoms of meningitis.

In babies, the signs of meningitis may be a fever, irritability that is difficult to calm, decreased appetite, rash, vomiting, and a shrill cry. Babies also may have bulging soft spots on their heads that are not caused by crying, and a stiff body. Babies with meningitis may cry when handled.
Young children with meningitis may act like they have the flu, cough, or have trouble breathing.
Older adults and people with other medical conditions may have only a slight headache and fever. They may not feel well and may have little energy.

Don't take it lightly: seek prompt medical attention!

Answer 3

The previous answer is correct. Other symptoms include fever, intense headache, vomiting, drowsiness and convulsions. The patient may go into coma. There may be paralysis of a limb or face, or even deafness or blindness.
Viral meningitis is generally mild. Meningitis may be associated with encephalitis.

Answer 4

if you're at all worried about meningitis you should be at the GP's!!

All the other answers are correct, the only other thing I will add is DO NOT wait for a rash to appear as although it is a symptom of bacterial meningitis it is actually caused by blood poisoning (septicaemia) which is secondary to meningitis.

Answer 5

Your replies are right. Another check you could do is the glass test. Press a glass onto the rash on the skin. If it goes white all is usually well. Beware if the rash stays red and phone ambulance IMMEDIATELY. Do not take it lightly if your Dr says its ok and you're still worried. Persist and go to accident & emergency if need be.It is better to pester the health services and nothing be wrong than do nothing and it turn out to be meningitis.

Answer 6

Headache, backache.

It is like having the flu and a migraine, with pain in your spine.

Your eyes are terribly sensitive to light...moreso than a migraine.

I had viral meningitis about 10 years ago, and I was prepared to die....I was so sick of the pain.

Answer 7

an incredibly bad headache with a very stif neck. when i say stiff i mean it hurts almost too much to hold your head up. of course fever and general pain and fatigue. but the hallmark is the stiff neck. most ER docs/nurses can tell meningitis just by the way you hold your neck.

Answer 8

http://www.meningitis.org/symptoms/symptoms