Meningitisis an infection of the protective cover around the brain called themeninges.
This article will go over the signs and symptoms of meningitis.
You will also learn how to spot the complications of the infection.
© Verywell, 2018
There are also other symptoms of meningitis.
Many of them are also common in other kinds of infections.
Some meningitis symptoms start early on in the infection while others take longer to show up.
Get our printable guide for your next healthcare provider’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.
You may not have all of these symptoms if you have meningitis.
Common meningitis symptoms include:
How Long Do Symptoms Last?
If you have viral meningitis, your symptoms will likely get better in a week to 10 days.
If you havebacterial meningitis, the infection lasts longer and is more severe.
While they are less common, these symptoms are usually more noticeable.
Many of these symptoms are also more likely to happen in bacterial, rather than viral, meningitis.
The earlier they are spotted, the more likely it is that they can be controlled.
Your healthcare provider’s main goal will be to prevent you from getting complications from the infection.
Get our printable guide for your next healthcare provider’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.
It can be brought on by bacteria or viruses.
Bacterial and viral meningitis have some of the same symptoms, but they differ in other ways.
The symptoms of meningitis may come on gradually or very fast.
Sometimes, the infection gets worse quickly and a person becomes seriously ill.
The complications from the infection can be life-threatening.
Frequently Asked Questions
People get meningitis when bacteria or viruses get into their bodies.
This can happen if they are in close contact with a person who has meningitis.
Some of the bacteria that cause bacterial meningitis include Group BstreptococcusandE.
Viruses that cause viral meningitis include mumps, measles,herpes simplex virus, andWest Nile virus.
Viral meningitis symptoms usually start a few days after a person catches the infection.
Most people get better on their own in seven to 10 days.
Bacterial meningitis symptoms often come on very fastwithin hours or days.
They are usually worse than viral meningitis symptoms.
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