Bacterial meningitis is an infection of the tissues surrounding the brain and spinal cord, according to the Cleveland Clinic. The infected tissues are called meninges. This infection can be caused by many different kinds of bacteria. Bacterial meningitis is the most common form of meningitis, accounting for 80 percent of all cases of meningitis. Patients experiencing any of the symptoms of bacterial meningitis should seek immediate medical care.
Fever
Patients suffering from bacterial meningitis often experience a high-grade fever, states the Merck Manuals. This fever is an immune response to the bacteria infecting the patient. Bacteria can release certain substances once the organism is inside the patient. One of these chemicals, called a pyrogen, can raise the body temperature in the infected individual.
Headache
Bacterial meningitis can cause swelling of the brain tissue, and this can cause a severe headache, states the Mayo Clinic. The headache can start as a mild ache but quickly progresses to a severe pain that does not respond to typical pain relief medication.
Stiff Neck
A stiff neck is one of the cardinal symptoms in adult patients with bacterial meningitis, according to the Cleveland Clinic. The stiffness in the neck is not a subtle condition, but rather an obvious symptom that can prevent the patient from lowering his chin to his chest. The stiffness is generally localized to the nape of the neck, because this is where some the meninges covering the spinal cord and brainstem are located.
Nausea and Vomiting
In cases of bacterial meningitis, patients may experience nausea and vomiting, reports the Mayo Clinic. The nausea and vomiting is caused by the disease affecting the brain. As the disease progresses, the areas of the brain that control nausea and vomiting are activated. This causes the patient to feel nauseous and triggers episodes of vomiting.
Mental Status Decline
Patients who are suffering from bacterial meningitis may develop symptoms of decreased mental abilities, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Often, patients exhibit confusion and have difficulty concentrating. As the illness progresses, patients may develop lethargy and drowsiness. In late stages of the infection, patients may lose consciousness.
Symptoms in Newborns
Bacterial meningitis has a slightly different clinical presentation in newborns and children less than two years of age, according to the Merck Manuals. These infants rarely develop stiff neck and cannot communicate the presence of a headache. In only some cases will infants have a fever. The children usually present with increased irritability when being held and lack of appetite. In 25 percent of cases, the fontanelles, or soft spots, on the infant's head start to bulge. Infants may also develop a high-pitched cry. All of these symptoms should prompt the child's parents to seek medical attention. The symptoms evolve over a period of one to two days, but in some instances death can occur in as little as 24 hours.
