From the Guidelines
Meningitis symptoms include fever, severe headache, stiff neck, sensitivity to light, nausea, vomiting, confusion, and sometimes a rash that doesn't fade when pressed, and anyone experiencing these symptoms should seek immediate medical attention as meningitis can be life-threatening, particularly bacterial forms which require prompt antibiotic treatment. The symptoms of meningitis can develop rapidly over hours or more gradually over days, and in infants, signs may include irritability, poor feeding, high-pitched crying, and a bulging fontanelle (soft spot on the head) 1. The classic triad of fever, neck stiffness, and altered mental status occurs in only about 44-46% of cases, as reported in a study published in the Clinical Microbiology and Infection journal 1.
Key Symptoms
- Fever
- Severe headache
- Stiff neck
- Sensitivity to light
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Confusion
- Rash that doesn't fade when pressed
Bacterial meningitis symptoms typically appear more suddenly and severely than viral meningitis, and the inflammation of the meninges (protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord) causes these symptoms, particularly the headache and neck stiffness 1. The infection triggers an immune response that leads to inflammation, increased intracranial pressure, and neurological symptoms. According to a study published in the Journal of Infection, the incidence of meningitis in adults has remained stable or increased, with a mortality rate of approximately 20% for all causes and up to 30% in pneumococcal meningitis, increasing with age 1.
Special Considerations
- In infants, signs may include irritability, poor feeding, high-pitched crying, and a bulging fontanelle (soft spot on the head)
- In younger children, classical signs and symptoms of bacterial meningitis are less frequently present, and the symptoms can be more subtle and atypical 1
- Petechial and purpuric rash are usually signs of meningococcal disease, although a rash has also been described in pneumococcal meningitis 1
From the Research
Symptoms of Meningitis
The provided studies do not directly discuss the symptoms of meningitis. However, they do provide information on the treatment and effects of bacterial meningitis.
Treatment and Effects
- Bacterial meningitis can be treated with antibiotics such as ceftriaxone 2, 3, 4, 5 and meropenem 5.
- Ceftriaxone has been shown to be effective in treating bacterial meningitis, with CSF cultures becoming sterile within 24-48 hours 2.
- The use of ceftriaxone and cefotaxime has been compared in the treatment of bacterial meningitis, with both drugs showing similar effectiveness 4.
- Meropenem has also been shown to be effective in treating bacterial meningitis, with a clinical cure rate of 100% in one study 5.
- The addition of dexamethasone to ceftriaxone therapy has been evaluated, with mixed results 6.