Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Meningitis history and symptoms
Introduction
History and Symptoms
History and Symptoms
In the study by Durand et.al., only 2/3 of patients had the classic triad of fever, nuchal rigidity and change in mental status.
- All patients, however, had at least one of these findings.
- 95% had fever >100 degrees Fahrenheit, with a mean duration of 4 days.
- Neck stiffness was present in 88%, and contrary to other reports, was not significantly lower amongst the elderly.
- 11% of patients had a rash, and of these cases 73% of them were due to Neisseria meningitidis (most commonly petechiae and purpura)
- 78% of patients had an abnormal mental status, primarily lethargy and confusion and 23% of the patients had focal seizures.
In general
- Headache is the most common symptom of meningitis (87%)
- Nuchal rigidity (“neck stiffness”, 83%).
- Fever
- Altered mental status.
All three features are present in only 44% of all cases of infectious meningitis.[1]
Other symptoms commonly associated with meningitis are
- Photophobia (inability to tolerate bright light)
- Phonophobia (inability to tolerate loud noises)
- Irritability
- Delirium (in small children)
- Seizures (in 20-40% of cases)
- Swelling of the fontanelle (soft spot) may be present in infants (0-6 months).
- Vomiting may be present.
References
References
- ↑ van de Beek D, de Gans J, Spanjaard L, Weisfelt M, Reitsma JB, Vermeulen M (2004). “Clinical features and prognostic factors in adults with bacterial meningitis”. N. Engl. J. Med. 351 (18): 1849–59. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa040845. PMID 15509818.
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-In-Chief: Cafer Zorkun, M.D., Ph.D. [2], Kalsang Dolma, M.B.B.S.[3]