Meningitis has a number of hallmark symptoms, regardless of the cause of the disease, and early symptoms mimic that of the flu (influenza), developing over several hours or a few days. To better understand the disease, one should understand the five types of meningitis and how they differ.
Viral Meningitis
Viral meningitis is the most common form of meningitis in the United States, and thankfully the least severe. Most patients can let the virus run its course and make a full recovery without prescription medication or emergency treatment. However, young infants and those with compromised immune systems are likely to develop a serious illness that requires medical attention.
Non-polio enteroviruses are the most common causes of viral meningitis, and outbreaks are most common in the summer and fall. It is important to note that only a small percentage of the people who are infected with enteroviruses develop meningitis. In addition to enteroviruses, viral meningitis can be caused by:
· Mumps virus
· Herpes viruses, including herpes simplex viruses and varicella-zoster virus, which causes chickenpox and shingles
· Measles virus
· Influenza virus
· Arboviruses, including West Nile virus
While viral meningitis can be contracted at any age, young children (under age 5) and people with compromised immune systems because of diseases or medications (including chemotherapy) are at a higher risk for developing the disease. Most patients will make a full recovery on their own in seven to 10 days, although young infants and patients with compromised immune systems are at risk for developing a serious disease.
Symptoms of viral meningitis are similar to those of bacterial meningitis, which is usually more severe and requires emergency medical intervention.
Bacterial Meningitis
Unlike viral meningitis, bacterial meningitis is usually severe. While most patients with bacterial meningitis recover, especially with early detection and quick treatment, the disease may cause serious complications that range from brain damage and hearing loss to learning disabilities.
Several pathogens (germs) are responsible for causing bacterial meningitis. In the United States, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the most common causes of bacterial meningitis include Haemophilus influenzae (most often caused by type b, Hib), Streptococcus pneumoniae, group B Streptococcus, Listeria monocytogenes and Neisseria meningitidis. Bacterial meningitis is treated with antibiotics.
Fungal Meningitis
Although anyone can get fungal meningitis, it is rare in the United States and far more common in places like sub-Saharan Africa. Patients with compromised immune systems, including those with HIV/AIDS or cancer, are at a greater risk of contracting fungal meningitis, which is most commonly caused by Cryptococcus. This is one of the most common causes of adult meningitis in Africa, although this type of meningitis is not contagious.
Fungal meningitis develops after a fungus is introduced into the bloodstream and travels to the central nervous system (CNS). You also can develop fungal meningitis after taking medications that weaken the immune system, such as steroids or medications given after organ transplantation, for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis or other autoimmune conditions.
Fungal meningitis is treated with a long course of high-dose antifungal medications, typically in IV form.
Parasitic Meningitis
According to a PBS special on the subject, primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) is an incredibly rare form of meningitis that causes a fatal brain infection. This diseases is caused by the microscopic ameba (a single-celled living organism) called Naegleria fowleri. This parasite enters the body through the nose, typically when people swim in bodies of fresh water in warm places, like lakes and rivers. While there is very little data about the true risks of contracting PAM, only about eight infections are reported each year out of hundreds of millions of visits to swimming venues that fit the criteria to host this amoeba.
While there are few reported cases, it’s important to heed media warnings and posted signs because more than 99 percent of cases of PAM are fatal. Only one person of the 123 known patients in the United States since 1962 has survived this disease.
Non-Infectious Meningitis
There are several causes for non-infectious meningitis, according to the NIH, including certain cancers and drug reactions, systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus), head trauma or brain surgery.
While it does not spread from person to person, it has similar symptoms to other forms of meningitis.
What Are the Symptoms?
Symptoms for all forms of meningitis are similar, but with viral and bacterial meningitis being the most common forms of meningitis in the United States, we'll focus on the symptoms of those two strains of the disease. It is essential that you seek immediate medical attention if you develop any of the common symptoms of meningitis so that a doctor can make an appropriate diagnosis and devise a treatment plan.
Common symptoms of meningitis include:
Sudden, High Fever -- Patients with meningitis typically will develop a sudden, high fever, often accompanied by cold hands and feet.
Severe Headache -- A headache associated with meningitis is usually severe and will feel different than other types of headaches, even for a regular headache sufferer.
Stiff Neck -- Patients with meningitis often report feeling a painful, stiff neck and have difficulty bending the head and neck forward or have limited mobility. Patients also report aches and pains in other muscles and joints that can become quite severe.
Vomiting or Nausea with Headache -- Patients often report repeated vomiting with nausea and abdominal pain that ranges in severity. These symptoms may be accompanied by diarrhea.
Confusion or Difficulty Concentrating -- People with meningitis may have difficulty concentrating or may develop an altered, drowsy or confused state of consciousness.
Lethargy or Difficulty Waking Up -- Both adults and infants may experience a feeling of lethargy (lack of energy), constant sleepiness that isn’t eased by rest, and difficulty waking from sleep.
Sensitivity to Light -- Meningitis patients will often report photophobia or an aversion to sunlight and artificial light.
Lack of Interest in Eating and Drinking -- Because of the combination of symptoms above, many patients with meningitis have a lack of interest in eating and drinking. This is a telltale sign that an infant may have developed meningitis.
Skin Rash -- Meningitis patients will often have pale, blotchy skin, although not all patients will develop a rash, and patients should not wait for the rash to develop before seeking medical treatment. Some patients, notably those with meningococcal meningitis, develop a spotted rash. Doctors have suggested a clear glass test, where a patient can press a clear, glass cup against the skin. If the rash doesn’t disappear or change in appearance, it is likely meningococcal meningitis and should be a sign to seek immediate emergency medical attention.
Seizures – In advanced cases of meningitis, some patients may develop seizures. If you or a loved one has had a seizure, you should seek immediate emergency medical attention, with or without any of the symptoms on this list.
Meningitis in Infants
Infants are unable to communicate some of the symptoms that are typical of older patients but are at risk for developing severe meningitis. In infants, symptoms of meningitis include:
· Fever
· Irritability
· Constant crying
· A bulge in the fontanel (soft spot) on the top of a baby’s head
· Stiffness in the baby’s body and neck
· Poor eating
· Sleepiness or trouble rousing the infant from sleep
· Lethargy (lack of energy)
Infants with meningitis are very difficult to console and may cry harder when picked up, rather than being soothed. If your child exhibits these symptoms, it’s important to seek medical attention immediately so that your doctor can make an appropriate diagnosis and begin treatment before permanent damage, including learning disabilities, brain damage and hearing loss occur.
As with any odd symptoms you experience, it's important to discuss potential symptoms of meningitis with a doctor before complications develop.