15 General Signs of Bacterial Meningitis

Bacterial meningitis is a severe infection that affects the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. It can cause some serious health problems, and if left untreated, it can lead to death. It is highly contagious, and it often spread quickly through schools, daycares, and even hospitals. It can be treated with antibiotics, and the sooner the condition is diagnosed, the faster the treatment works and the better the prognosis for the patient.

The symptoms of meningitis can mimic those of many other conditions, and in the early stages of the disease, it can be hard to determine the cause of those symptoms. If the symptoms are severe or seem to come on quickly, you should hesitate to seek medical attention.

Understanding the symptoms of meningitis can help you know when to seek the proper treatment and have the best chance at overcoming the disease if you ever find yourself suffering from it. 

1. Fever

Fever is one of the first signs of meningitis infection. Unfortunately, it’s also the first sign of many other illnesses. A fever can be treated with medication, and many people choose to do so and ignore it until it becomes severe. A fever with meningitis is harder to treat. It may be higher than a normal fever, and it may not go away or even be reduced with medication.

Anytime a fever seems severe or lasts more than a couple days; you should see a doctor. Doctors can perform tests to determine the exact cause of the fever and find out if it is meningitis or another infection or virus. Some other illnesses that have fever as the main symptom can also turn into meningitis if not treated. 

A severe fever should never be ignored. It is the body’s response to a bacteria or virus that has invaded the bloodstream.