Key Warning Signs Of Meningitis

Sudden Headache

Although a sudden headache is a classic symptom of meningitis, many patients who have the condition present with mild or moderate headaches. These types of headaches cause pain across the entire head, and they may progress in severity. All types of headaches associated with meningitis are unrelenting; they cause constant pain that does not come and go. Headaches are not easily detected in infants, but parents may notice the child's fontanel (a normal soft spot on a baby's skull) appears swollen as a result of the inflammation and fluid accumulation caused by this infection. Infants with headaches may cry excessively or be unusually fussy, and adults with headaches due to meningitis may experience mood swings and irritability. Since headache pain is subjective, doctors will also look for other signs of meningitis when assessing patients with sudden headaches.

Learn more about serious symptoms of meningitis now.