It’s easy to mistake the early signs and symptoms of meningitis with the flu due to the fact that it causes the same achy stiffness, headache, and high fever. However, meningitis is a condition that causes inflammation of the membranes around the brain and spinal cord which means it’s much, much more serious than just a case of the flu. Meningitis is typically triggered by a viral, bacterial, or fungal infection, which if left untreated, can become life threatening without antibiotics.
If you suspect meningitis in yourself or someone in your family, the following 14 signs will be evident…
1. Stiffness
Stiffness of the neck and back occur because meningitis spurs the inflammation of the membranes (or meninges) that encase the brain and spinal cord. It’s this swelling that causes the discomfort and stiffness. If you experience a sudden fever and headache along with a stiff neck, you could have a form meningitis and you should seek treatment and testing to confirm or rule out the cause.
Viral meningitis is often brought on by an enterovirus. Many types of enteroviruses have mild cold and flu-like symptoms, and some of these viruses have been known to cause viral meningitis. Viral meningitis can bring on a stiff neck, but this form of meningitis isn’t usually as harmful or potentially harmful to your health as others. If you have an unexplained stiff neck and some other symptoms, see your doctor. There are several types of meningitis, each ranging in severity from mild to potentially fatal, and you can endure severe complications if it goes unchecked and untreated.