Meningitis is when the membranes that cover the brain and spiral cord, called the meninges, are inflamed. Typically it’s caused by a virus or bacteria but sometimes certain medications or illnesses can also cause it. There are several types of meningitis. If you have any meningitis symptoms consult a doctor immediately. Bacterial meningitis is one of them. It is the rarer form of meningitis. It is a very serious ailment and can become deadly if it is not properly treated immediately.

Another type of meningitis is viral meningitis, which is also referred to as aseptic meningitis. It is fairly common and it is not nearly as severe or life-threatening. This type of meningitis often goes undiagnosed and unnoticed because it has symptoms that are very similar to those of the common flu. Young people of any age can get meningitis but it can be easily spread between people. Therefore it is more common among children or kids living in close quarters. Examples would be college students living in dorms or students living at a full-time boarding school with shared quarters. If properly diagnosed and treated meningitis can be cured with no long term side affects. For this reason it is very important to know the signs of meningitis and be on the look out for them. There are also vaccinations you can get for your children to decrease the possibility of them contracting meningitis. If you think your child could have possibly been afflicted with this disease you should immediately contact your primary care physician and discuss your concerns with them so your child can be properly diagnosed and treated.

The first symptom of meningitis are typically a cold, runny nose, diarrhea and vomiting. These symptoms can come on very quickly and suddenly or surface over the course of several days. Secondary symptoms are things such as lethargy (feeling tired and not fully aware of your surroundings), stiff neck, skin rashes, seizures, fever, irritability, headache or sensitivity to light which is called photophobia. Infants can have different symptoms such as jaundice, poor feeding, weak suck, higher than normal pitched cry or a change in temperature – this can be either a fever or a lower than normal temperature.