Brudzinski's sign:
Your doctor will pull your neck forward slowly
. Neck stiffness and involuntary bending of the knees and hips can indicate meningitis. Kernig's sign: Your doctor will flex your leg at the knee and bend the leg forward at the hip. Then, they'll slowly straighten your leg.
What are the warning signs of spinal meningitis?
- Sudden high fever.
- Stiff neck.
- Severe headache that seems different from normal.
- Headache with nausea or vomiting.
- Confusion or difficulty concentrating.
- Seizures.
- Sleepiness or difficulty waking.
- Sensitivity to light.
How do you know if you have a stiff neck meningitis?
Brudzinski's sign:
Your doctor will pull your neck forward slowly
. Neck stiffness and involuntary bending of the knees and hips can indicate meningitis. Kernig's sign: Your doctor will flex your leg at the knee and bend the leg forward at the hip. Then, they'll slowly straighten your leg.
How do I check myself for meningitis?
- Press the side of a clear glass firmly against the skin.
- Spots/rash may fade at first.
- Keep checking.
- Fever with spots/rash that do not fade under pressure is a medical emergency.
- Do not wait for a rash. If someone is ill and getting worse, get medical help immediately.
Can I have meningitis without a fever?
Symptoms of Viral Meningitis
Viral meningitis usually begins with symptoms of a viral infection, such as fever, a general feeling of illness (malaise), cough, muscle aches, vomiting, loss of appetite, and headache. However,
occasionally, people have no symptoms at first
.
When should I be worried about a stiff neck?
A stiff neck is generally not a cause for alarm. However, see a doctor if: The stiffness is accompanied by other symptoms, such as a fever, a headache, or irritability. The stiffness does
not go away within a few days
and after trying home treatments such as NSAIDs and gentle stretching.
What helps a stiff neck in 60 seconds?
- Step 1: Find the sore spot. …
- Step 2: Push into the knot with your fingers, using firm pressure. …
- Step 3: Turn your head slightly in the direction opposite the cramp, and bend it diagonally, as if you were trying to touch your armpit with your chin. …
- Step 4: Repeat steps 1 through 3 about 20 times in a row.
What do meningitis spots look like?
A petechial rash looks like
pin-prick red or purple spots
on the skin, and can resemble flea bites. A purpuric rash looks more like bruising, showing up as reddish-purple areas on the skin.
When should I worry about meningitis?
You should get medical advice as soon as possible if you're concerned that you or your child could have meningitis. Trust your instincts and do not wait
until a rash develops
. Call 999 for an ambulance or go to your nearest A&E immediately if you think you or your child might be seriously ill.
What can be mistaken for meningitis?
Up to age five, the diseases most often suggesting meningitis were
right-sided pneumonia, gastroenteritis, otitis, tonsillitis, exanthema subitum
, and urinary tract infections.
Does meningitis go away by itself?
Viral meningitis (when meningitis is caused by a virus) is the most common type of meningitis.
Most people get better on their own without treatment
. However, anyone with symptoms of meningitis should see a doctor right away because any type of meningitis can be serious.
How long can meningitis go untreated?
Bacterial meningitis – bacterial meningitis has a sudden onset, and can cause serious health problems, or even death,
within 24 hours
if left untreated. If treated early, the symptoms of bacterial meningitis can improve in as little as 2-3 days.
How do adults get meningitis?
Often it is the result of
an infection by bacteria that already live
in the nose and mouth. The bacteria enter the blood and become lodged in the brain's outer covering, the meninges. Meningitis can also be caused by the spread of an infection occurring near the brain, such as from the ears or the sinuses.
Can you move your neck if you have meningitis?
A headache caused by meningitis is typically described as severe and unrelenting. It does not subside by taking an aspirin. Stiff neck. This symptom most commonly involves a
reduced ability to flex the neck forward
, also called nuchal rigidity.
How long after being sick could I pass it to someone? Symptoms appear
within three to six days after being exposed
to the virus. You can pass the virus to others for several weeks after getting the infection, even after you no longer feel sick so it is important to always wash your hands.
What does a meningitis headache feel like?
Usually headache is the predominant symptom, but fever is also usually present and the neck is stiff. Bending the neck forward greatly aggravates the pain. The headache is generalized all over the head. Drowsiness and confusion may be present in the more severe cases.
