How long can you have meningitis without knowing?

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. How long does viral meningitis last?

Can you have meningitis and not know it?

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. Later, people have symptoms that suggest meningitis.

How long can meningitis go undetected?

The first symptoms of viral meningitis typically appear between 3 to 7 days after being exposed to the infection. Symptoms of bacterial meningitis appear and progress quickly – bacterial meningitis is the most dangerous type of meningitis, and the infection progresses the fastest.

How does meningitis start out?

Bacteria that enter the bloodstream and travel to the brain and spinal cord cause bacterial meningitis. But bacterial meningitis also can occur when bacteria directly invade the meninges. This may be caused by an ear or sinus infection, a skull fracture, or — rarely — some surgeries.

What happens if meningitis is left untreated?

If left untreated, the infection can cause brain damage or even death. Antibiotics can usually eliminate the bacteria. Still, about 10 to 15 percent of cases result in death even when antibiotics are used. Among people who recover, 11 to 19 percent will experience long-term complications.

How long can you have meningitis without knowing?

What does meningitis neck feel like?

Meningitis neck pain may feel like severe stiffness when you try to turn your neck or bend you neck forward. It may also feel like a deep, throbbing pain that extends from the bottom of your skull down into your upper back.

What are 3 symptoms of meningitis?

What are 5 signs of bacterial meningitis?

What symptoms start first with meningitis?

Early symptoms can include:

Fever, headache, vomiting, muscle pain and fever with cold hands and feet. Someone with meningitis or septicaemia can get a lot worse very quickly.

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.

What can be mistaken for meningitis?

Can blood tests miss meningitis?

Blood tests can be normal in meningitis but sometimes may show signs of infection, such as elevated white blood cells in a complete blood cell count (CBC) test or elevated proteins in a total protein test.

How do doctors check for meningitis?

A definitive diagnosis of meningitis requires a spinal tap to collect cerebrospinal fluid. In people with meningitis, the fluid often shows a low sugar level along with an increased white blood cell count and increased protein. Analyzing the fluid also may help identify which bacterium caused the meningitis.

What does meningitis feel like in adults?

Early symptoms can include:

Fever, headache, vomiting, muscle pain and fever with cold hands and feet. Someone with meningitis or septicaemia can get a lot worse very quickly. Keep checking them.

How can I test for meningitis at home?

Gently and slowly push on the back of your neck so that your head moves forward. For better results, have someone do this for you. Note if your hips and knees flex involuntarily as you raise your head. This is a positive Brudzinski sign, meaning that you may have meningitis.

Can bacterial meningitis clear up on its own?

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. Only a doctor can determine if someone has meningitis, what is causing it, and the best treatment.

When should you suspect bacterial meningitis?

What are the symptoms of bacterial meningitis? You want to watch for high fever, headaches, and an inability to lower your chin to your chest due to stiffness in the neck. In older children and adults, you may see confusion, irritability, increasing drowsiness. Seizures and stroke may occur.

Where is meningitis pain located?

The meninges are protective membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord. Infected and inflammed meninges can cause neck pain and stiffness.

Does it hurt to touch your neck with meningitis?

Meningitis neck pain feels different. It gets worse when you stretch, and can involve more than just your neck and shoulder area. "Moving the neck up or down stretches the inflamed tissues of the meninges, which causes an intense, deep pain that may extend into the head or down the back," says Even.

Can you have meningitis for months?

Chronic meningitis develops slowly, over weeks or longer, and may last for months to years. Rarely, chronic meningitis causes only mild symptoms and resolves on its own.

Can you see meningitis on a CT scan?

The CT scan is a valuable tool in diagnosing meningitis. The contrast dye that is injected during the test can highlight brain, skull, and sinus inflammation- all complications and signs of meningitis.

Is meningitis hard to diagnose?

Meningitis is an extremely serious, often life-threatening disease — yet its early symptoms often resemble the flu, and that can make it difficult to diagnose.

Will meningitis show up on MRI?

Routine contrast-enhanced brain MRI is the most sensitive modality for the diagnosis of bacterial meningitis because it helps detect the presence and extent of inflammatory changes in the meninges, as well as complications.

How do you rule out meningitis in adults?

What are the red flags for meningitis?

muscle and joint pain. pale, mottled or blotchy skin (this may be harder to see on brown or black skin) spots or a rash (this may be harder to see on brown or black skin) headache.