Patients who develop inflammation of the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord can be diagnosed with a condition called meningitis. This inflammatory condition typically develops due to a bacterial or viral infection and is most commonly diagnosed in teens and college students, reports KidsHealth.org, a website supported by the Nemours Foundation. Anyone who develops early symptoms of meningitis should seek medical care from a physician as soon as possible.
Fever
A high fever can be one of the earliest symptoms of meningitis in affected patients. When bacterial or viral infections enter the body, they trigger a response by the immune system that generates an increase in body temperature. A high body temperature helps prevent the infectious pathogens from spreading to other organs and tissues. Patients who experience fever symptoms due to meningitis may also develop a severe headache accompanied by sweating or chills. These symptoms typically arise within one to two days following initial exposure to the infection, reports MayoClinic.com. Patients who have high or persistent fever symptoms should seek medical care, as this early symptom of meningitis can be a sign of other health problems.
Stomach Upset
Patients can experience stomach upset symptoms during the early stages of meningitis. These stomach-related symptoms can include nausea and vomiting, which may contribute to poor appetite or weight loss in affected patients.
Stiff Neck and Headache
Inflammation along the spinal column can cause patients with meningitis to experience a stiff, painful neck as an early symptom of this condition, reports MedlinePlus, a website supported by the National Institutes of Health. Stiff neck symptoms can make it difficult for affected patients to turn their neck normally and may contribute to severe, throbbing headache symptoms in certain patients. Patients who develop severe or persistent stiff neck symptoms should consult a doctor for further evaluation and care.
Confusion or Fatigue
Brain inflammation due to meningitis can cause patients with this infection to develop early symptoms of confusion, reports the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Affected patients may also be unusually irritable, lethargic or fatigued. These early meningitis symptoms can make it difficult for patients to focus or concentrate at work or school.
Light Sensitivity
Meningitis can cause patients to experience increased light sensitivity, an early symptom referred to as photophobia. Patients may squint or complain of eye pain when exposed to sunlight or bright lights within the home, school or workplace. Increased light sensitivity may also exacerbate headache symptoms in certain patients with meningitis.
