Signs and Symptoms
Here are lists of the signs and symptoms that occur in Bacterial meningitis in children and adults. Symptoms come on very quickly and it is essential to diagnose Meningitis early to prevent long-term damage.
Unless there is a high fever, neck stiffness or altered mental state present the disease is unlikely to be meningitis.
The Rash
The Meningitis rash
is caused by blood from vessels leaking into the tissue and is a sign of meningococcal septicaemia.
It does not fade if pressure is applied using a tumbler (as seen in the picture).
The Meningitis Rash
Image courtesy of centres.exeter.ac.uk/shc/tumblertest.gif under the terms of the GNU-Free Documentation License.
Babies and Small Children
Fever
Cold hands and feet
Red blotchy rash
Drowsiness/ difficult to wake up
Pale blotchy skin/abnormal skin colour
Rapid breathing/grunting
Bulging fontanelle
Shrill cry/wailing
Lack of appetite
Delirium
Leg pain
Stiff body, or very floppy body
Older Children/ Adults
Fever
Cold hands and feet
Rash that doesn't fade under pressure
Drowsiness/difficult to wake up
Stiff neck
Photophobia (dislike of bright light)
Convulsions
Nausea/ Vomiting
Diarrhoea
Muscle Cramps
Severe Headache
Confusion/ Irritability (altered mental state)
Phonophobia (dislike of loud noise)