{"id":9577,"date":"2019-08-10T23:09:32","date_gmt":"2019-08-10T23:09:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/?p=9577"},"modified":"2021-05-05T14:33:35","modified_gmt":"2021-05-05T14:33:35","slug":"15-general-signs-of-viral-meningitis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/15-general-signs-of-viral-meningitis\/","title":{"rendered":"15 General Signs of Viral Meningitis"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Viral meningitis is a dangerous and highly contagious disease that affects the brain and other organs. It can cause death if left untreated, and the symptoms of the conditions are very unpleasant. Viral meningitis is spread by various viruses. Once these viruses are in the body; they find their way to the bloodstream and brain and cause the meninges to become swollen and inflamed. This can lead to seizures, a coma, and other severe complications. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Understanding the symptom of meningitis can help you determine if you should seek medical attention. The sooner you seek the help of a doctor, the faster you can begin treatment. Proper treatment can help your immune system fight off the virus and relieve the symptoms of meningitis. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

These are eight of the most common symptoms. Some people may experience all of them, while others may only experience a few. The severity of the symptoms often demonstrates the severity of the infection. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

A high fever is one of the first signs that something is wrong in the body. It usually means there is an infection present. While a fever can be a symptom of almost any infection<\/a>, when it is extremely high, it\u2019s more likely to be a sign of meningitis. A fever caused by meningitis may come on suddenly. Other fevers may start low and become worse, but a meningitis fever is likely to be high from the start. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many people experience other symptoms with the fever, which helps make the diagnosis of meningitis easier for doctors. A high fever that lasts for a long time can be dangerous and cause permanent damage. If you believe you are suffering from meningitis, it\u2019s important to get treatment quickly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have a high fever, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible to rule out meningitis and receive the proper treatment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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

Headaches <\/a>are another common symptom of meningitis. Headaches are also a symptom of the flu, allergies, sinus infections, and vision problems. Most people say that the headache they experience with meningitis is the most severe they have ever felt. In addition to the headache, a person may suffer from light and sound sensitivity that makes the headache worse. Pain medicine may not help ease the pain and may people feel so sick that they are unable to keep medication down. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The headache is what usually prompts people to seek medical attention. Some people, however, are in so much pain that they can\u2019t get out of bed to even make it to the doctor. You should never ignore a severe headache or wait for it to go away on its own. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the pain is unbearable, seek medical attention for a proper diagnosis. You are more likely to recover and avoid further complications if you get treatment quickly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. Nausea<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Many people report feeling extremely nauseous when they have meningitis<\/a>. They may not realize they are sick and may confuse the symptom with indigestion. Some people even have diarrhea or constipation while also suffering from meningitis. This makes it hard to consider nausea alone as a symptom of meningitis. When it occurs with other common symptoms such as fever and severe headache, it is more likely to be related to meningitis. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some people also experience a loss of appetite and have no desire to eat. This may be caused by nausea or other symptoms that make them uncomfortable. Some people become so nauseous that they end up throwing up often. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once the diagnosis is made, a doctor can offer anti-nausea medications to help relieve this symptom. These medications can be given with antibiotics and other medications that are used the treat meningitis. Nausea is usually one of the first symptoms to subside with proper treatment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. Stiff Neck<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Many people suffer from stiff necks and don\u2019t think anything about it. They assume they pulled a muscle by turning their head too fast or they simply slept funny. Most people are also able to find some relief by doing stretches, taking pain medications, or elevating their head and neck until the pain goes away. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Neck stiffness <\/a>with meningitis is a little different\/ It doesn\u2019t feel like a normal stiff neck, it feels worse. It can be extremely painful, and traditional pain relief medications may not work or not work as well as they should. Meningitis can also make it hard to move the neck at all. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You may try to move it even though it\u2019s painful, but find that it\u2019s not physically possible. This is especially true if you try to look down. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When testing for meningitis, some doctors will ask their patients to put their chins to their chests and also look straight up. If they can\u2019t do it, they may suspect meningitis and order further tests to confirm it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. Photophobia<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Photophobia <\/a>is also known as light sensitivity. It means a person cannot stand the light. While sunlight may be the worst to endure, people with photophobia are typically sensitive to all types of light. Ceiling lights, lights from televisions, and computer screens, and even night lights can be too much for someone who has meningitis and is experiencing photophobia. This symptom can occur with other health problems and illnesses as well. It is common with sinus infections, allergies, the flu, and even migraines. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Certain vision problems can also make a person sensitive to light. It is not usually an obvious sign of meningitis on its own, but when it occurs with a headache, fever, and nausea, and there is no other obvious reason for it, it\u2019s likely a symptom of meningitis. It can last for weeks, even after a person has begun treatment for meningitis or has completely gotten over it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. Lethargy<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Most people feel tired when they are sick, but when that tiredness becomes severe, it may be a sign of a more severe illness. Getting plenty of rest is a good way to get over the flu, a cold, sinus problems, or stomach issues, but if you have meningitis, it might prevent you from seeking medical attention. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lethargy <\/a>can make a person want to stay in bed no matter how bad they feel and just hope they get better. They may not feel up to visiting the doctor or going to an emergency room. This means the meningitis has time to get worse. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If meningitis is not treated, it can lead to brain damage, seizures, and even death. If you are feeling unusually tired or if you are getting plenty of rest but still feel like you can\u2019t move, you should seek medical attention. If you cannot drive yourself to the doctor, ask a friend or family member to go with you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meningitis can be treated if it is diagnosed early enough, and once treatment begins, the lethargy goes away. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. Confusion<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Meningitis affects the brain and can cause swelling <\/a>and inflammation. This can lead to confusion. Most people are alarmed when they experience unexplained confusion and seek medical attention. Meningitis can cause confusion of all types, and it can make it hard for a person to figure out what is going on with their mind and body. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you experience confusion and have other symptoms of meningitis, you should waste no time going to the doctor or emergency room. Confusion is not normal and is almost always a sign of a serious problem. It may be a head injury, a virus, an infection, or something else that affects the brain. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meningitis is just one of the many things that can cause confusion, but it can also be one of the most dangerous. Doctors do not take this symptom lightly and will order more tests to determine the exact cause of it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. Difficulty Waking Up<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

People with meningitis often report that they have trouble waking up when they have meningitis. While most people do experience lethargy or fatigue<\/a>, they find that once they fall asleep, they can\u2019t wake up. Their brains have trouble signaling to the rest of the body that they should be awake. This can be terrifying because some people realize in their sleep that they are not able to wake up, even though they want to. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many people don\u2019t relate this to meningitis, and once they do wake up and feel better, they forget about it. This can be a sign that meningitis has gotten worse, and while it normally occurs with other symptoms, it may be the only one that some people experience. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have had this problem and are experiencing any of the other symptoms of meningitis, you should seek medical attention immediately. A doctor can begin treatment and have you feeling better in no time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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9. Chills<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

People who are suffering from an infection with viral meningitis may develop a fever as one of the first signs of the disease. An increase in temperature is not an uncommon symptom with any infection where a pathogen <\/a>is present. Therefore, it\u2019s challenging for physicians to make an accurate diagnosis based on this symptom alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, when the fever occurs alongside other symptoms, the doctor can evaluate the patient and have a better chance of making an accurate diagnosis. When fever emerges in the patient, chills may occur as well. Chills make the patient shiver, and even though they are in bed with extra blankets, they will still feel cold. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chills occur as the brain signals the body to turn up the heat on the invading pathogen. As a result, the patient feels cold as the body tries to reach the new setpoint temperature set by the nervous system. After the fever breaks, the chills subside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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10. Dehydration<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Patients who are dealing with a case of viral meningitis may start to experience nausea symptoms as the virus rampages through the body. As a result of nausea, the patient may begin to feel like they want to vomit. It\u2019s vital that the patient rehydrates after every purge, or they run the risk of developing dehydration. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our body relies on a delicate mineral and electrolyte balance to maintain a healthy nervous system function. When minerals deplete as a result of vomiting, it results in the onset of numerous complications in the patient. If left untreated, the patient may start to experience seizures, and slip into a coma. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dehydration <\/a>also slows metabolism, increasing the intensity of symptoms, as well as prolonging the virus cycle in the body. Rehydrate after every purge. Use a specialized rehydration formula that replenishes the body\u2019s electrolytes and minerals. Avoid using sports drinks, as the sugar in these products exacerbates the symptoms of dehydration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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11. Delirium<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As the virus reaches its peak in the body, the affected individual may start to slip in and out of consciousness. When they wake up from sleeping, the fever symptoms may cause them to exhibit signs of delirium<\/a>. Delirious behavior includes bouts of confusion, where the patient may not realize where they are, or recognize any of their friends or family members.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Delirium typically lasts for the peak of the fever and then subsides with treatment to bring down the body temperature. Usually, delirium only occurs when the patient’s temperature exceeds 101F. If the patient is in hospital by this stage, then the doctors on call will prevent symptoms of delirium before they occur. While doctors don’t like to break a mild fever, as it’s the body’s natural defense against viral infection, they will intervene if the patient’s temperature exceeds 101F.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Doctors treat the patient using anti-viral medications administered through an IV drip into the patient’s bloodstream.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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12. Changes in Skin Color<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In the advanced stages of viral meningitis infection, the patient may start to notice changes in their skin color. The skin may begin to turn reddish-pink, as the blood vessels start to burst. This part of the disorder is a severe warning sign to medical professionals, and the patient requires immediate treatment to eliminate the virus responsible for the infection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If left undiagnosed and untreated, the patient may start to experience these changes in skin color in other regions of the body as well. The most common sites for skin color changes include the cheeks in infants<\/a>, as well as the neck and stomach. Doctors are at a loss to explain the exact reason why changes in skin color occur. However, some medical professionals believe it may be due to increases in body temperature that cause blood vessels in the skin to break. As a result, the patient may start to experience the onset of skin color changes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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13. Skin Rash<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

After the patient starts to notice the onset of changes in skin color, they may begin to develop a rash<\/a>. The rash occurs as another warning sign to doctors that the patient is entering the advanced stages of the infection. Its most common for patients infected with viral meningitis to develop the onset of petechiae, a type of rash that presents spots on the eyelids and the inside of the month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The flat spots produced by the rash do not stand up proud from the surface of the skin. If you run your finger over the eyelid, you won\u2019t feel the presence of any bumps. Medical science is at a loss to explain why these rash symptoms occur in patients who are dealing with viral meningitis. However, some medical experts believe that it\u2019s a response to the bursting of blood vessels under the skin due to elevations in body temperature. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no treatment available for the rash symptoms, and the patient should not notice any signs of irritation with a petechial rash. The sports fade away after the infection clears.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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14. Rapid Breathing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Viral meningitis typically occurs in infants more than in adults. While adults are also at risk of contracting the virus responsible for the disease, they have stronger immune systems than children. Therefore, the adult may not experience infection due to higher resistance to pathogens. When the virus does occur in adults, it\u2019s usually because the adult came in contact with an infected child.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adults that have small children attending nursery schools should be on the lookout for any signs of viral or bacterial meningitis infection. If the child starts to present symptoms of the disease, call the nursery school, and notify them right away. This strategy helps to contain the virus and prevent an outbreak in children attending the school. Parents can quarantine their children until the risk diminishes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the more common symptoms of the disease in small children is the development of rapid breathing. The child may breathe shallow and fast, giving the appearance of panting. This breathing may be a sign that the respiratory system<\/a> is under stress, and the child requires immediate hospitalization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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15. Malaise<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Children and adults that come down with a case of viral meningitis may take a few days before they decide to visit a doctor for a diagnosis. The disease starts in the body by presenting symptoms that are similar to the common cold. However, the symptoms intensify over 48 to 72-hours, and the patient will realize that something is wrong.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When we know that something is medically wrong with us, we start to develop feelings of uncertainty about our future. When we do not understand the nature of the infection, it can lead to symptoms of anxiety and panic in the individual, especially when the symptoms appear dangerous. As a result of the uncertainty, the patient may start to develop symptoms of dread, and think that there is a possibility they could die of experience disability as a result of their condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These feelings of malaise <\/a>may lead to the onset of mild depression in the patient as well. Feelings of malaise typically lift almost immediately after receiving a diagnosis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\r\n

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