{"id":9014,"date":"2019-08-16T09:26:17","date_gmt":"2019-08-16T09:26:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/?p=9014"},"modified":"2021-06-18T19:55:34","modified_gmt":"2021-06-18T19:55:34","slug":"14-known-symptoms-of-viral-meningitis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/14-known-symptoms-of-viral-meningitis\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Known Symptoms of Viral Meningitis"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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A fact that many may or may not know is that the overwhelming majority of meningitis cases in the United States are viral rather than fungal, parasitic, or bacterial. While there are certainly meningitis cases caused by other factors, viral cases are the most common because there are many diseases that could lead to the development of meningitis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These include measles, mumps, chickenpox, shingles, both varieties of herpes simplex, and even West Nile virus. With so many different viruses that can cause viral meningitis, it should come as no surprise that they\u2019re the most common type of case.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Much like any other viral condition, the key to treating viral meningitis is early diagnosis and equally early treatment. The sooner you begin your antiviral treatment, the less danger you\u2019ll be in from meningitis. Today we\u2019re going to take a look at the eight common symptoms of viral meningitis. Let\u2019s get into it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Fever<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One of the first symptoms that you\u2019ll notice when dealing with viral meningitis <\/a>is a fever. After all, your body\u2019s default response to most viral infections is to raise your core temperature to try and kill the invading pathogens off, thus leading to a fever. Of course, there are many other things that could cause a fever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A common culprit is the influenza virus. In reality, many things can cause a fever and most of the time it isn\u2019t a major issue so there\u2019s no need to panic as soon as your body temperature rises. On the other hand, you should still take due diligence when you notice a fever coming on. While it\u2019s most likely not an issue, it could be caused by viral meningitis, and that\u2019s not a chance you should take so calling your doctor is advised.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. Severe Headache<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The keyword here is severe. You may suffer from headaches <\/a>after going through the daily obstacles at life such as stress at work or lover\u2019s quarrels, but when a headache reaches a severity beyond the norm then you should start thinking about the possibility that an underlying issue is present.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beyond the severity, you should also take note of how acute the headaches are. If you feel fine one moment then suddenly experience an immediate and unbearable pain then that\u2019s what doctors call a thunderclap headache. In contrast, headaches that slowly grow in severity are more common in patients with meningitis as the membranes around their brand are inflamed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thunderclap headaches could be caused by a subarachnoid hemorrhage which is a bleed between the two innermost meninges of the brain. Both conditions are serious and should be treated immediately to prevent further complications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. Neck Stiffness<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Another symptom that may occur as a result of viral meningitis is neck stiffness<\/a>. After all, the membranes that are inflamed surround the spinal cord too, not just the brain. The inflammation around your spinal cord will lead to stiffness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In later stages, this stiffness will turn into pain. That being said, early diagnosis and treatment can shorten the duration that you\u2019ll have to endure meningitis and slow its progression. Of course, there are other factors that may lead to a stiff neck such as old mattresses, bad posture, or even just the position you slept in last night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Still, if you notice the stiffness persisting over multiple days then you should go to your doctor to see if an underlying issue is present. The key to treating any condition is early diagnosis so that you can nip the problem at the bud before it worsens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. Confusion<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Another telltale symptom of meningitis <\/a>is confusion. As the membranes around your brain become increasingly inflamed, it will be harder for you to focus on complex tasks and think clearly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You could think of these membranes as a computer\u2019s processor: the hotter it gets, the less efficient it will be. Before panicking, try to narrow down the potential causes for the confusion. The first thing you should try is taking a short break as your mind may simply be fatigued from processing too much information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Next, drink some water to ensure that the confusion isn\u2019t caused by dehydration. If you take these measures and notice no other causes but the confusion still remains then it may be caused by viral meningitis. Going for a checkup at the hospital is the best way to confirm the diagnosis and get you the treatment you need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. Lethargy<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Lethargy <\/a>is also a symptom of meningitis. Much like in the previous symptom, this is the result of your brain struggling to function as the membranes around it are inflamed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your immune system will also be taxing your body as it attempts to stave off the invasive pathogen and thus you\u2019ll have less energy left over for mundane tasks such as walking, talking, or working.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s worth noting that lethargy applies to your psychological energy just as much as it does to your physical capacity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your body might feel fine and be able to lift objects without any trouble, but if you notice that your mind is too weak to process simple information then that definitely qualifies as lethargy. If you notice a sudden wave of lethargy, especially if it comes in conjunction with the other symptoms on this list, then you should get a checkup to see if the root cause is viral meningitis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. Photophobia<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Photophobia <\/a>is the medical term used to describe an increased sensitivity to light. It\u2019s worth noting that this may be due to trauma rather than viral meningitis. A common type of trauma that can cause photophobia is a corneal abrasion. Whenever an abrasion is present in your cornea, more light will be getting into the receptors and thus you\u2019ll be more sensitive to bright lights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, if you have no history of photophobia nor have you endured any injuries to your eyes yet still feel oversensitive to light then it may be caused by your viral meningitis and the inflamed membranes around your brain. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first step you could take is an eye exam with your optometrist to see if corneal abrasions are present. If not then you should consider heading to your doctor so they can check if viral meningitis is the root cause.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. Lack of Appetite<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Whenever your body is faced with a viral infection it\u2019s going to allocate all of its attention and energy to the immune system<\/a> \u2014 ensuring that the pathogen is dealt with before it can cause too much damage. That being the case, you\u2019ll likely notice less activity in your other bodily functions such as appetite and libido. If you\u2019re usually the type of person who eats a lot and see your appetite suddenly drop then you should start retracing your steps to find the root cause.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019ve been stressed at work recently then that may be the cause of your reduced appetite. That being said, if the lack of appetite persists for multiple days without any clear cause then you should consider getting a checkup as it may be caused by your body trying to defend itself from viral meningitis. When it comes to inflamed membranes, it\u2019s better to be safe than sorry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. Irritability<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The last symptom that we\u2019re going to look at on this list is irritability<\/a>. While it may be last, it\u2019s certainly not least as this is one of the telltale signs that you may be dealing with meningitis. Various studies have shown a correlation between inflamed membranes and a decrease in patience. Those suffering from viral meningitis may be more quick to snap at people even if the issue being discussed is relatively minor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While it\u2019s true that some people are just hotheads rather than meningitis patients, you should dig deeper if the person in question is normally calm and collected. If the sudden wave of irritability comes alongside the other symptoms that we mentioned on this list then that\u2019s an indicator that viral meningitis may be the root issue. At this point, it\u2019s advised that you get a doctor involved so they can identify the problem and treat it accordingly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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9. Blurred Vision <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Meningitis is caused by inflammation of the layers surrounding the brain, and it\u2019s one of the most serious viral infections there are. Because of the close proximity to the brain, the condition can affect people who suffer with it in many other different ways at the same time \u2013 including directly affecting the eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Blurred vision<\/a> (or general forms of visual impairment) can often be associated with cases of viral meningitis. Sometimes this is felt together with added pain or pressure in the eyes, although in many cases the pain might be entirely absent.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A few other things can cause blurred vision as a potential side-effect, including conditions that affect the kidneys or conditions such as diabetes. A doctor\u2019s opinion and a few simple tests can help to establish the cause. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you experience any warning signs of meningitis that have been mentioned on this list, make an appointment with your doctor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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10. Swelling of Lymph Nodes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The swelling of the lymph nodes<\/a> is a general symptom that can be associated with many different types of illnesses and infections. Just like a fever, node swelling is the body\u2019s way of trying to fend off an intruding infection \u2013 and the lymph nodes are usually where the body attempts to \u201ctrap\u201d bacteria and illnesses.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The main lymph nodes are located behind the ears, behind the jaw, in the neck, and under the arms, but an entire line of other lymph nodes run throughout the body and the swelling can occur anywhere down the line <\/p>\n\n\n\n

With cases of meningitis, the swelling is more likely to be located in the lymph nodes closer t the head. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s not a sign unique to only viral meningitis, but can also sometimes occur in some early stages of cancer. See your doctor as soon as possible where this symptom is experienced at all. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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11. Sudden Changes in Sleeping Patterns<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When the body is affected by an illness or infection like viral meningitis, it can cause chaos throughout the entire system. Symptoms like pain, confusion and fever are likely to become worse at night and during the earlier morning hours \u2013 and a viral meningitis infection can cause a range of different disruptions in your sleeping patterns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In many cases, constant fatigue goes together with the feeling of confusion and it\u2019s usually independent of how much or how little sleep you have been getting. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

These disruptions in sleep <\/a>can take several different forms. Some patients might sleep more than they usually do, while others might instead find themselves unable to sleep due to other symptoms associated with viral meningitis\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because this is such a potentially diverse symptom that can be experienced in so many different ways, any sudden changes in your sleeping patterns should be seen as a reason to make an appointment with your doctor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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12. Dehydration <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dehydration <\/a>is a very common symptom that everyone should keep in mind when they are sick. When you\u2019re healthy, it\u2019s recommended that you drink up to eight glasses of water (or any other fluid-like fruit juice) in order to reach your body\u2019s recommended intake \u2013 but when you\u2019re affected by a condition like viral meningitis, the amount of fluid that you need to consume will automatically increase.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Always take in more fluids than you normally would when you are getting sick, particularly where more fluids are lost through sweating or vomiting. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dehydration can have its own list of related symptoms, including headaches, a dry mouth, difficulty swallowing and mental confusion. Dehydration is also serious enough to be one of the most dangerous general symptoms that you can undergo, requiring immediate treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Drinking nutrient and electrolyte-rich fluids to rehydrate is enough in most cases, though more extreme ones can require the use of IV-fluids.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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13. Sinus Issues<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Viral meningitis affects the tissues around the brain, and can have a range of different effects on other parts of the body that happen to be close to the head. In some cases of viral meningitis, it might start out mimicking the flu with the first symptoms and start out with a sore throat and sinus <\/a>issues \u2013 but instead be something a lot more serious.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You should know to visit your doctor for the proper tests when flu takes far too long to heal: If you experience symptoms of flu for more than two weeks at a time (or it keeps coming back) then you can almost be sure that what you have might not be the flu. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sinus problems are common with viral meningitis infections: Symptoms such as a constant discharge from the nose can signal bigger problems with your health where you can add more symptoms or where they don\u2019t go away in the time-frame that you would expect. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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14. A Lowered Immune System <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Viral meningitis can worsen an already compromised immune system<\/a>. This can lead to an increased likelihood that you will pick up routine infections like the flu, that you will be sicker for longer from these infections and that you are more like to be affected much worse by the condition than if your immune system were stronger.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A lowered immune system is what can cause conditions such as pneumonia and tuberculosis to be more serious to children, older people and anyone diagnosed with conditions that directly affect your immune systems, like HIV or viral meningitis. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have recently healed from meningitis, consider your immune system in need of some dire help to get back to health. Switch over to a healthy diet, steer clear of any unhealthy habits and see your doctor more regularly for a general check-up to ensure that your health is able to improve after a serious infection. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\r\n

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