What are the symptoms of meningitis and how is it diagnosed?
Meningitis can present in many ways. Sometimes it is a slowly progressing disease. Other times, it can strike in hours. Especially in children under two years old, a doctor must be very careful and maintain a high degree of suspicion. Fever can be an important sign. However, it is also not very specific. Many diseases create a fever and sometimes meningitis presents without a fever. Blood tests may help the diagnosis. Also, symptoms may include drowsiness, confusion, headaches, or vomiting. Meningitis can cause seizures. It can cause irritability, and a lack of appetite. In young babies, the soft spot on the top of the head may become hard and bulge out. After the first year or so, it can also create a stiff neck. Confusion may be present in older children. If there is a suspicion of meningitis, a spinal tap is needed to test the spinal fluid for signs of infection.
