PEDIATRICS
Meningitis: Symptoms, Diagnosis, & Treatment
May 1, 2020
Symptom Guides > Pediatrics > Meningitis: Symptoms, Diagnosis, & Treatment

by
Dr. Neil Brown
With 20 years of ER experience, Dr. Brown has worked at top US hospitals including University of Illinois, Chicago and IU Health Arnett Hospital.
You have flu-like symptoms, a terrible headache, and a stiff neck—could it be meningitis? Caused by inflammation in the membranes that surround the brain and spine (known as the meninges), meningitis symptoms can feel a lot like influenza. Typically, however, meningitis also leads to symptoms like a stiff neck and severe headache.
If not treated, some forms of meningitis can cause long-term neurological problems. But most cases of meningitis aren’t serious or life-threatening. Viral meningitis, the most common form, usually resolves on its own within ten days. Bacterial meningitis is more serious but can be effectively treated with antibiotics.
Anyone can contract meningitis, but it’s more common in kids and teenagers than in adults. To prevent meningitis and associated complications, it’s important to stay on top of vaccines—the measles, mumps, polio, Hib, and pneumococcal vaccines can protect against meningitis caused by those germs. And if you suspect you or your child may have meningitis, make sure to talk to a doctor through the K Health app or see your physician as soon as possible so you can get the treatment you need.
In this article, I’ll cover:
“Vaccinations and common sense hygiene are the best ways to prevent contracting meningitis.”
Want to feel better fast? Get personalized answers about your symptoms.
Worried you might have meningitis? Download K Health

by
Dr. Neil Brown
With 20 years of ER experience, Dr. Brown has worked at top US hospitals including University of Illinois, Chicago and IU Health Arnett Hospital.
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