The first sign of meningitis might be a tough/rigid neck. Meningitis is a type of infection that attacks the human brain. Then, it moves smoothly to the spinal cord. That is why a person may feel a rigid neck as well as the back. The membranes surrounding the spinal cord start decreasing the opportunity to move. The movements become limited because of the swelling sensation. Add a certain level of discomfort and reasonable ache to the limitations in the movement to get a full picture.
The patients frequently report about the increase in body temperature when diagnosed with meningitis. Such high fever causes an increased anxiety. People who suffer from this health condition also have cold extremities, both low and upper. A special form called viral leads to the low-grade fever. It is possible to confuse the regular flu with meningitis because of the chills and overall health condition.
The patients complain of regular headaches when they suffer from meningitis. An ongoing headache varying from a mild to severe level is an alarming sign in most situations. It feels like a migraine. Usually, it takes place all of a sudden, before the fever steps in. So, it is simple to draw a parallel between these two symptoms. In case of meningitis, this symptom will show up in something like 7 days.
Meningitis has a range of flu-related symptoms. That is why it is easy to confuse these two disorders. Enterovirus acts similarly, so viral meningitis has almost the same qualities as flu or cold. The patient may end up with a runny nose, coughing, and having body temperature. In fact, this type of meningitis is rather tricky as the signs are different for different people. Thus, some patients may experience pain in the neck and headaches.
People diagnosed with meningitis often experience a desire to vomit because of nausea and some other factors. It is hard to explain or predict nausea in this case. These signs take place as the meninges get inflamed. It is not necessarily supported by the desire to vomit. The brain sends a specific signal to the rest of the organs, which provokes vomiting and nausea. The level of these symptoms and the presence of vomiting depends on the level of complexity.
The patient may get confused because of a severe headache, fever, or nausea. All of these symptoms are interconnected. Blurred vision may occur in such cases. Another possible phenomenon is a brain of a patient can experience several times per day. It will become complicated to concentrate on things and making decisions. It is the result of a swelling feeling in the brain and corresponding reactions. A person cannot see the difference between dreams and reality any longer and may forget important things.
The patients diagnosed with meningitis often demonstrate extra tenderness and sensitivity when it comes to light and brightness. It could be just a reaction to exposure to natural/artificial sources of light. That is why a headache may follow. Problems with vision are also possible in such situations. This symptom usually shows up pretty fast, like in a day or two once the person gets infected with the bacteria.
Do you know what phonophobia is? As healthcare providers explain, it is a condition of being intolerant to the sounds. Loud sounds may provoke an inadequate reaction if the person is attacked by meningitis. Another similar condition is photophobia, and it is also present. It is the negative reaction to the light and brightness. The patients just cannot resist the high frequency-sounds. It is called one of the most stressful consequences of the disease. In such condition, the patients prefer silent places with the absence of any natural or artificial light.
If the pain the muscles become too serious, it might be an alarming sign of meningitis. The early symptoms like nausea, fatigue, and sleep disorders should be followed by the muscle aches to confirm the diagnosis. It makes no wonder the patient gets extremely tired all the time. Some people share it is difficult for them to move, walk, or especially run.
A rash on skin does not always appear, but it is an easily noticeable visual element of meningitis. The rash is usually red or purple. The tiny dots also cover the body. Their parents can notice the lumps on the back and head. It is important to detect a bulge on the mild part of the child’s head. Also, it has some red spots covering the body. Would you like to understand if the rash is something you should worry about or doubt? Grab a glass tumbler and roll it over the spots. In case of meningitis, the mark will remain the same as before the test.