Meningitis symptoms

[Freyja]

I have been having flu-like symptoms the last few days, without becoming really sick though. On friday my tongue was swollen and hurt and I went to the doctor. She thought it was a virus, without being sure though. I had a very bad headache friday and saturday but not since then. I´ve NOT had a fever. My bones and muscles have been aching from time to time but not that badly that it could keep me from singing with my choir at a concert yesterday. Today I woke up with very stiff neck. I can´t move it from side to side and can´t bend it forward. Should I worry about this?

I should mention that apart from the stiff neck I feel good today.

 

[issa]

I had meningitis..the most memorable symptom was the amazing headache and the feeling that my brain was "mushed". When I moved my head - whether side to side..or up and down - it felt like it "took a moment" for my brain to catch up with my skull..and then amazing pain as it slammed into place. Sounds weird..but best I can describe it.

Sneezing was agony and I remember literally screaming and holding my head after 1. I couldn't stand light and was very tired. was cold, always had a blanket on me.

Was admitted to the hospital for a week after I finally went to the ER 4 days after symptoms.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Since you have no headache and no fever, I probably would not worry.

 

[Nette]

I had aseptic meningitis (which is when your spine swells, but no infection) and it was the most painful thing I have ever been through. I had 17 hours of labor w/ no drugs 4 of which were in transition, and that was a walk in the park compared to the headache I had with the meningitis.

Probably you have a mild case of the flu. Or you could be super stressed out... I tend to get really yucky flu like symptoms (like you described) when I'm stressed.

If it keeps bothering you, go to the doctor again.

 

[Freyja]

Thanks everyone. I guess it´s just stress and lack of sleep. I´ve been very busy and going through quite a lot lately and that´s probably just getting to me now.

 

[minkydog]

Meningitis nearly always presents with fever. The thing about menigitis that stands out is how extreme the symptoms are--the headache is extreme, the neck stiffness is extreme, the lethargy & irritability is extreme. Tylenol & motrin don't touch it. You feel constantly like you want to die.

Neck stiffness without fever is more likely to be caused by inflammation of some of the many lymph nodes that encircle your neck--take ibuprophen for that and lie down several times a day with a heating pad on your neck to relieve the muscle tension.

 

[milwaukee1]

How do you get menengitis? Is it contagious?

 

[#1MMFan]

I have been having flu-like symptoms the last few days, without becoming really sick though. On friday my tongue was swollen and hurt and I went to the doctor. She thought it was a virus, without being sure though. I had a very bad headache friday and saturday but not since then. I´ve NOT had a fever. My bones and muscles have been aching from time to time but not that badly that it could keep me from singing with my choir at a concert yesterday. Today I woke up with very stiff neck. I can´t move it from side to side and can´t bend it forward. Should I worry about this?

I should mention that apart from the stiff neck I feel good today.

The fact that you are able to post this on the computer suggests to me that you are not symptomatic enough to be suffering meningism. Either that, or you have an EXTREMELY high pain threshold!

 

[#1MMFan]

How do you get menengitis? Is it contagious?

It isn't just one cause. Various infections, viral and bacterial. Yes, can be contagious. Contacts of those who have had meningococcal meningitis (a specific - and worse - form of the condition) are given prophylactic antibiotics - usually rifampicin to eliminate asymptomatic carriage of the responsible bacteria. There are viral MenC vaccinations.

And obviously as above, occasionally aseptic causes.