Meningitis occurs when there is swelling or inflammation in the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. It is, however, not easy to detect the symptoms of meningitis. This is because the early signs and symptoms of this condition are very similar to those of the flu.

Incidentally, meningitis may follow a flu-like illness. So, it is necessary to stay alert and know the signs and symptoms of the different types of meningitis.

Symptoms and treatments for the types of meningitis include the following:

1. Bacterial meningitis

  • Signs and symptoms

This type is characterized by a sudden outbreak of symptoms like fever, headaches, stiff neck, rashes, vomiting, nausea, confusion, light sensitivity, poor appetite, drowsiness, and sluggishness. In infants, the symptoms may include fever, poor feeding, irritability, and lethargy. These symptoms appear within 3 to 7 days of exposure to the bacteria.

  • Treatments

This condition is best treated with antibiotics and treatment must be sought promptly. The best way to prevent this from occurring is vaccination. For instance, meningococcal vaccines will protect one against most types of meningococcal diseases. The Hib vaccine may be suggested for kids less than 5 years. When treated on time, this type of meningitis will not become fatal.

2. Viral meningitis

  • Signs and symptoms

The symptoms here are almost the same as bacterial meningitis. They include a sudden fever, stiff neck, headaches, irritability, nausea and vomiting, poor appetite, sleepiness, and lethargy.

  • Treatment

There is no specific treatment for this type of meningitis. Those who get a mild version of the disease may typically recovered within 7 to 10 days. Antiviral medications may be given when meningitis is being caused by viruses like influenza and herpes simplex virus. Antibiotics may not work here as they do in case of bacterial meningitis. There are also no vaccines available for this type of meningitis. Patients have to be given lots of fluids and painkillers and are also advised to rest. Recovery may be slow and some people may be left with after-effects like exhaustion, memory loss, and headaches.

3. Fungal meningitis

  • Signs and symptoms

The most common symptoms are fever, headaches, stiff neck, vomiting, nausea, altered mental state, and photophobia.

  • Treatment

Doctors may prescribe lengthy courses of high-dose antifungal medicines for treating this type of meningitis. These may be given through intravenous injections. Following this, patients must take oral medicines. The treatment duration will depend on the kind of fungus that caused the infection and the patient’s immunity. There is nothing one can do to prevent fungal meningitis.

4. Parasitic meningitis

  • Signs and symptoms

Just like the other types of meningitis, this too is characterized by headaches, nausea, stiff neck, vomiting, and photophobia. There may be severe complications arising from this type, such as weakness or paralysis, coma, permanent disability, and even death.

  • Treatment

There is no one treatment for parasitic meningitis. One may be prescribed pain medicines for headaches.

5. Primary amebic meningitis

  • Signs and symptoms

The symptoms in the initial stages are very similar to those of bacterial meningitis. These originate within 7 days of the infection and include headaches, fever, nausea, and stiff neck followed by a lack of attention, loss of balance, hallucinations, and seizures.

  • Treatment

There are many medicines that have worked in laboratories against the Naegleria fowleri parasite, but their effectiveness is unclear since most infections have turned out to be life-threatening so far.