Meningitis: Symptoms

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Symptoms

Symptoms of bacterial meningitis usually appear suddenly. Symptoms of viral meningitis may appear suddenly or develop 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 (influenza), 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.

Other conditions with similar symptoms to meningitis include viral hepatitis and flu.

Last updated:	January 19, 2007
Author:	Debby Golonka, MPH
Reviewed By:	Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics, W. David Colby IV, MSc, MD, FRCPC - Infectious Disease
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman, MATC