Per CDC:
Key Points
Meningitis is inflammation (swelling) of the lining of the brain and spinal cord.
Many different things can cause meningitis.
An accurate diagnosis is important though because treatment depends on the cause.
Bacterial meningitis is a medical emergency and should be treated as soon as possible.
Symptoms
Common meningitis symptoms include
Fever
Headache
Stiff neck
There are often other symptoms, such as
Nausea
Vomiting
Photophobia (eyes being more sensitive to light)
Altered mental status (confusion)
Symptoms in babies:
Newborns and babies may not have, or it may be difficult to notice the classic symptoms listed above. Instead, babies may
Be slow or inactive
Be irritable
Vomit
Feed poorly
Have a bulging fontanelle (the "soft spot" on a baby's head)
Have abnormal reflexes
To learn more visit: About Meningitis | Meningitis | CDC
