Health tip

Meningitis Symptoms and Warning Signs

There are two types of meningitis: viral meningitis and bacterial meningitis. In most cases, viral meningitis is not fatal. The patient will make a full recovery within a week by resting, drinking plenty of fluids, and taking over-the-counter pain relievers. Bacterial meningitis, however, can be deadly if not treated quickly.

The symptoms for viral and bacterial meningitis are often the same, including a high fever and a stiff neck. That's why, for all cases of suspected meningitis, it's critically important to head for the emergency room when symptoms first appear.


Viral and Bacterial Meningitis Symptoms

The most common meningitis symptoms for people over the age of 2 include:

High fever
Severe headache
Neck and shoulder pain
Sensitivity to light
Nausea and vomiting
Confusion
Sleepiness
Seizures

In infected babies and children under the age of 2, these symptoms may not appear — or may be difficult to detect. When infected, babies and young children may appear lethargic or be irritable, and they may vomit or not eat well. They may also have seizures as the disease progresses.