Symptoms and Complications
An infected person quickly becomes very sick and shouldn't wait to get medical
treatment. Most people with meningitis display the following symptoms:
- high fever (over 102°F)
- stiff and sore neck, especially when it's moved, turned, or bent (the discomfort
is caused by inflammation of the meninges). This may not occur in people whose
immune systems are not functioning properly, such as:
- people taking corticosteroids
- people with AIDS
- people taking cancer or transplant medications
- seniors
- children less than 24 months of age and especially those less than
6 months of age.
- severe headache due to extra pressure in the head - look for signs of fussiness
and irritability in children too young to complain of a headache
If blood vessels in the brain become inflamed, the brain won't get enough
oxygen. This can make a person drowsy and less responsive, and, in extreme
situations, they can fall into a coma. Lack of oxygen to the brain can also
cause seizures.
Inflammation results in increased pressure on the brain, which sometimes causes
vomiting. You might also notice a rash that resembles clusters of tiny red or
purple pinpricks. When you press on the spots, they won't turn white, as skin
normally does. The skin itself can develop cyanosis, a bluish tinge caused
by a lack of oxygen. Not all symptoms of meningitis appear at once, however,
and they may be less obvious for seniors.
For very young children, take note of the following:
- fever, with cold hands and feet
- vomiting
- not eating
- difficulty waking up
- high-pitched moaning or crying
- arching their backs and pulling at their necks
- not settling down or taking comfort when held
- having a vacant expression
- showing a pale, mottled complexion
- rash (red or purple pinpricks)
Long-term complications can occasionally occur, and last long after the infection
has been treated. These include deafness, mental impairment, paralysis, and
sometimes seizures that require lifelong treatment.