Meningitis, inflammation of the meninges, symptoms and signs include neck stiffness, headache, and fever. There are five types of meningitis: viral, bacterial, fungal, parasitic, and noninfectious. Read more: Is Meningitis Contagious? Article
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Childhood Diseases: Measles, Mumps, & More
Is your child at risk for these childhood diseases? Know when to call the doctor for conditions such as measles, mumps, ringworm,...
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Meningitis Quiz: Test Your Infectious Disease IQ
What is meningitis and what causes it? Take our Meningitis Quiz to learn the causes, symptoms, treatments, and complications of...
QUESTION
Meningitis refers to inflammation of the brain. See AnswerRelated Disease Conditions
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Skin Rash
The word "rash" means an outbreak of red bumps on the body. The way people use this term, "a rash" can refer to many different skin conditions. The most common of these are scaly patches of skin and red, itchy bumps or patches all over the place.
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Headache
Headaches can be divided into two categories: primary headaches and secondary headaches. Migraine headaches, tension headaches, and cluster headaches are considered primary headaches. Secondary headaches are caused by disease. Headache symptoms vary with the headache type. Over-the-counter pain relievers provide short-term relief for most headaches.
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Fever
Although a fever technically is any body temperature above the normal of 98.6 F (37 C), in practice, a person is usually not considered to have a significant fever until the temperature is above 100.4 F (38 C). Fever is part of the body's own disease-fighting arsenal; rising body temperatures apparently are capable of killing off many disease-producing organisms.
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Nausea and Vomiting
Nausea and vomiting are symptoms of many conditions including motion sickness, pregnancy, emotional stress, gallbladder disease, and other illnesses. Learn about causes, treatment, and when to be concerned.
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Mastoiditis
Mastoiditis in children and adults is inflammation and/or infection of the mastoid bone, which is located behind the ear. The most common cause of mastoiditis is an inner ear infection or otitis media. Acute mastoiditis lasts for a short period, while chronic mastoiditis can last for months to years. Symptoms of acute mastoiditis in children and adults include, pain and swelling behind the ear, pus draining from the ear, and a low-grade fever. Complications of mastoiditis include meningitis, abscess, dizziness, and conductive hearing loss. Mastoiditis requires antibiotic treatment so it cannot be treated at home with natural products or home remedies; however, home remedies may help reduce symptoms of pain, inflammation, and fever. Some individuals will need surgery to cure their infection.
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Meningitis
Meningitis is inflammation of the membranes that cover the spinal cord and brain. Symptoms include fever, headache, and a stiff neck. Treatment of meningitis depends upon the cause of the infection and may include antibiotics or antiviral medications.
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Bell's Palsy (Facial Nerve Problems)
Bell's palsy is one type of facial nerve paralysis. The seventh cranial nerve controls the muscles of the face, and although scientists do not know the exact cause of Bell's palsy, they think it may be due to nerve damage from an infection, for example, the flu, common cold viruses, and more serious infections like meningitis. The symptoms of Bell's palsy vary from person to person, but can include mild weakness to total paralysis, dry eye, dry mouth, eyelid drooping, drooling, mouth drooping, dry mouth, changes in taste, and excessive tearing in one eye.
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How Quickly Does Meningitis Progress?
Meningitis is an infection of the meninges or coverings of the brain. This serious illness can progress very quickly and have lifelong consequences. So, it is important to get medical attention as soon as possible. The most frequent cause of meningitis is a viral or bacterial infection. Rarely, a fungus can cause it.
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Fungal Meningitis
Fungal meningitis is a rare disease that is not contagious. Symptoms include fever, headache, stiff neck, nausea, and vomiting. Treatment involves administering high doses of antifungal medications.
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What Is Enterovirus (Non-Polio Enterovirus Infection)?
Non-polio enteroviruses cause a variety of infections, including aseptic meningitis, hand, foot, and mouth disease, herpangina, and the common cold. Symptoms and signs of enterovirus infection include hypoxia, eye pain, shortness of breath, chest pain, and fever. Treatment involves supportive care to reduce symptoms.
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How Long Does the Meningitis Vaccine Last?
Learn how the meningitis vaccine works and how long it is effective.
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How Often Do You Need to Get the Meningitis Vaccine?
Meningitis is a disease that's defined by inflammation in membranes — called meninges — near your brain and spinal cord. Data is limited, but current research suggests that the MenACWY vaccine becomes unreliable for protection after five years and the MenB vaccine after only one or two years.
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How Do You Get Bacterial Meningitis?
Bacterial meningitis is an infection of the tissue surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Learn more about the signs of bacterial meningitis, what causes bacterial meningitis, when to see a doctor, and how to treat bacterial meningitis.
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What Are the 3 Types of Meningitis?
Meningitis is a serious condition that needs medical attention. Learn about the 3 types of meningitis, what causes meningitis, how doctors diagnose meningitis, and how meningitis is treated.
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Which Is More Serious: Encephalitis or Meningitis?
What is the difference between encephalitis and meningitis?
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Rat Lungworm (Angiostrongylus cantonensis)
Rat lungworm (Angiostrongylus cantonensis) is a parasite that infects rats. The parasite can infect people if ingested by eating undercooked or raw infected snails or slugs. Though rat lungworm often causes no signs and symptoms, the parasite can cause eosinophlic meningitis in some. Stiff neck, headach, vomiting, nausea, and fever are symptoms of eosinophilic meningitis. Treatment is usually unnecessary. For more severe infections, treatment focuses on alleviating symptoms.
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Encephalitis vs Meningitis: Differences
The diseases, encephalitis and meningitis, have striking similarities with each other. But they differ from each other by a few of their symptoms, causes, their types, and their treatment.
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Meningitis: Symptoms,Treatment, and More
Meningitis is an inflammation of the membrane (meninges) surrounding the brain and spinal cord and is characterized by an abnormal number of white blood cells in the cerebrospinal fluid. Meninges act as a protective layer to the brain and spinal cord.
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How Do You Know if You Have Meningitis?
Meningitis is a potentially life-threatening inflammation of the layers of tissue and fluid that cover the spine and brain. Learn the signs of meningitis, what causes it, how doctors diagnose it, and what you can do to treat it.
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Meningitis Treatment
Meningitis is an inflammation of the membrane (meninges) surrounding the brain and spinal cord and is characterized by an abnormal number of white blood cells in the cerebrospinal fluid. Meninges act as a protective layer to the brain and spinal cord.
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What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Bacterial Meningitis?
Signs of bacterial meningitis include sudden onset fever, nausea, vomiting, severe headache, neck stiffness, double vision, confusion, and photophobia.
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Where Does Bacterial Meningitis Come From?
Bacterial meningitis is characterized by inflammation around your brain and spinal cord that leads to dangerous — and sometimes deadly — pressure in this area. Bacterial meningitis comes from person-to-person contact with an infected person.
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How Is Meningitis Diagnosed and Treated?
If the doctor suspects you have meningitis, you will be hospitalized immediately for proper testing and to manage the illness. The treatment and care will depend on the type of meningitis the patient has and how unwell the patient is.
Treatment & Diagnosis
Medications & Supplements
Prevention & Wellness
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- Menveo Vaccine Approved for Bacterial Meningitis
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