Worried I have meningitis?

Question

I have a severe headache, high fever, vomitting, stiff neck, extreme tiredness (I've gone to sleep at 5 PM and woke up at 8 in the morning and still feel tired) and I can't touch my chin to my chest. Could this be meningitis and if it is what should I do?

Answer 1

ER right now

Answer 2

Usually meningitis shows itself as:
103 fever or higher
Severe headache
Vomiting more than just a couple times
Neck pain and/or stiffness
And light sometimes hurts your eyes
Severe irritability or feeling lethargic
If you pull your knees up to your chest you may have back pain

If you have 3 or more of these symptoms, go to the nearest emergency room now. If you have some type of meningitis, it can be highly contagious, and it can be life threatening. Don't wait until you can get in to see a doctor, go to the emergency room now.

There is a chance you could have the flu, which can present with the same symptoms in the beginning, the stiff neck is the key, if you did not sleep for an extended period of time on your neck in the wrong position, with all of the other symptoms you have, you could quite possibly have meningitis. Meningitis is not something you can treat at home, or hope it goes away, you need to get to the nearest emergency room now, and make sure to tell the nurse/desk clerk/or triage person all of your symptoms and that you think you may have meningitis.

Also, if you live in a dorm room, or around kids, it's quite possible it's meningitis and that it was contracted there.

Answer 3

Yes and you should immediately either call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. Have someone else drive you and be loud and clear when you get there that you are worried that you have meningitis and want immediate testing.

There are two(well, more than that but in this case, two) types of meningitis, bacterial and viral. Every minute counts in bacterial meningitis - if you get antibiotics even an hour later than you should, you can die or suffer severe brain damage. If you have viral meningitis (more likely) then it'll just take a while to get better, like a cold.

It's impossible to tell without doing a lumbar puncture (or spinal tap). Don't worry, you will get numbed up with lidocaine - it shouldn't hurt more than an IV or blood draw.

Stop reading this now and get medical attention. I mean it!

Answer 4

I understand that you are worried, but most people who get the more common form of meningitis will be just fine. There are two basic kinds of meningitis - bacterial and viral. Bacterial meningitis is rare. It is very, very contagious and you need to stay far away from people who have it. They usually die very quickly, so it is probably _not_ that kind of meningitis that is spreading around. Viral meningitis is less lethal but still spreads around pretty easily. You avoid it by avoiding infected people as best you can and by washing your hands frequently, especially before you eat. There is something else very important - what to do if you start feeling sick. If you get a headache and cold- or flu-like symptoms, take them seriously. Keep a very close eye on your temperature and your neck and back pain. If the fever gets high (over 101) or the pain starts getting bad, better safe than sorry - go to the doc or the ER. If you see little black spots on your body that start to multiply quickly, call an ambulance - that is a sign of bacterial meningitis, and you need to get to the hospital for antibiotics pronto. With all of that scary stuff aside, you should be fine - just wash your hands and don't swap spit with people unless you know they are not at all sick.

Answer 5

Well, those symptoms are certainly consistant with meningitis, sounds like you should get medical attention, go to the nearest ER right now. They will most likely have to do an lumbar puncture (also known as a spinal tap) to make sure, and will probably start you on antibiotics just to be sure before they get the result.
There are two kinds of meningitis, and they are difficult to distinguish by symptoms (at least, difficult to distinguish until it's too late) - bacterial and viral. If you have bacterial meningitis, it is imperative that you get IV antibiotics as soon as possible or it may be life threatening, if you have viral meningitis, they will probably still admit you to the hospital and it will be very unpleasant, but will be very unlikely to do any lasting damage.

Answer 6

Your symptoms suggest meningitis as a possibility. You should go to an ER if you are worried enough to write this. They will likely give you a lumbar puncture. This is a test that collects fluid from your spinal column. They will also start you on antibiotics and give you some pain control. I wouldn't wait, meningitis can lead to worsening sequela, even death. I am a MD and this is my advice.

Answer 7

Yes, those are symptoms consistant with meningitis. If you are a person living in close quarters with others (ie dorm, soldier) you are at higher risk.

You should go to the ER immediately, and they can draw some blood and possibly do a lumbar puncture to make sure it is not meningitis. If it is, they will see if it is viral or bacterial. If viral, they will give supportive care; if bacterial, you need antibiotics.

Take care

Answer 8

According to what you describe, you have some symptoms of meningitis. No one can tell unless you are assessed by the right physician. It is better seek medical advice as soon as possible. Address any illness early is the key for better recovery. If you think emergency may be what you need, don't wait.
sunny health

Answer 9

Headaches can be caused by minor problems
like eyestrain, lack of coffee or more serious reasons
like head injury, brain tumors, encephalitis and
meningitis. Taking painkillers continuously can
have harmful side effects, so it is better to
modify your lifestyle. More information available at

Answer 10

Go to the emergency room immediately!!!! If it is bacterial Meningitis that is highly contagious!!! DON'T WAIT!!!!

Answer 11

Get to the Emergency room immediately! This is serious, can be fatal-don't drive yourself...if you don't have someone to take you-call 911. DO NOT WAIT!!!