Stiff neck and dizziness, can I get meningitis?

Meningitis, also known as inflammation of the lining of the brain, is often difficult to spot from the start because it has flu-like symptoms. However, symptoms such as stiff neck, intense headaches and even skin rashes need to be watched out for because they can signal meningitis. In order for this disease to be treated quickly and appropriately, you need to recognize every feature that can indicate this meningitis disease.

Common symptoms of meningitis

Meningitis occurs due to inflammation in the lining of the meninges that protects the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord). Meningitis can be caused by viral, bacterial, and parasitic infections or by non-infectious factors such as side effects of medication, autoimmune conditions, or injury.

Everyone is equally at risk for contracting meningitis. Meningitis transmission can occur from contact with saliva that is splashed when the sufferer coughs, sneezes, and including when kissing.

Meningitis can cause different health problems depending on the cause. The symptoms of meningitis caused by viral infections are generally less severe than those caused by bacterial infections (bacterial meningitis) or other causes that are rarely found.

Some symptoms such as severe headache and stiff neck can be suspected as a symptom of meningitis. Even so, symptoms of inflammation of the lining of the brain may not always appear. The initial symptoms of meningitis that are usually shown are similar to other infectious diseases such as flu.

In general, the following are signs and symptoms of meningitis that you need to be aware of:

• Fever. The fever experienced is not too high, less than 38 ℃.
• Severe headache. Often experience mild, moderate, to severe headaches usually accompanied by eyes that are sensitive to light.
• Nausea and vomiting. This disorder is often experienced even though the overall symptoms of meningitis are not too severe.
• Fatigue. The body feels weak, tired, and not energized even though there is not much physical activity.
• Muscle and joint pain. The joints feel achy and sore like when you are about to have a fever due to the flu.
• Stiff neck. The top of the neck feels stiff with movement and remains painful even when you change your body position.
• Decreased appetite

In adults, the symptoms of meningitis will usually appear gradually. Symptoms of viral meningitis may subside within 10 days. Meanwhile, the symptoms of bacterial meningitis can last longer.

Symptoms in infants or children may develop more quickly (within a few hours). It will be difficult to detect complaints such as stiff neck in children, but be aware if there are features of meningitis in children such as a prominent soft part of the head.

Other signs of meningitis

In addition to general symptoms, there are also complaints and other more specific characteristics of meningitis so that the disease is more easily detected. However, this symptom is more common in inflammation of the lining of the brain caused by a bacterial infection than a virus.

Inflammation of the lining of the brain due to bacterial infection can further affect the work of the brain or nerves in the spine. Therefore, another symptom of meningitis is related to malfunctioning of the brain and spine.

Other characteristics of meningitis that can be experienced include:

• High fever more than 38 ℃
• Back pain
• Decreased cognitive function such as difficulty focusing, confusion, extreme behavioral changes
• Rash on the skin

According to the Meningitis Research Foundation, meningitis caused by a Meningococcal bacterial infection can cause symptoms in the form of a rash on the skin. This condition is indicated by small reddish spots on the skin.

However, this rash is different from a rash caused by skin diseases. The reddish spots are caused by leakage of small blood vessels caused by a bacterial infection in the blood vessels.

When are neck stiffness and dizziness a sign of meningitis?

Disorders such as stiff neck and dizziness are often suspected symptoms of meningitis. However, this complaint does not automatically confirm that you have meningitis.

It is important to pay attention to how long this disturbance lasts. Unlike the usual neck pain, neck pain or stiffness, including signs of meningitis, can be felt to the shoulder. When you move your neck to the right, left, above, and below the neck it can even hurt more.

Doctor Stefano Sinicropi explained that neck stiffness occurs because the neck is the most flexible part of all the areas through which the meninges membrane extends from the brain to the spinal cord. Therefore, inflammation of the meninges will further affect neck movement.

From the symptoms, it can be seen that inflammation of the lining of the brain is not a disease that can be underestimated. Meningitis can cause various dangerous complications such as:

• Inflammation of the brain (encephalitis)
• Seizures or frequent fainting
• Hearing disorders
• Stroke attack
• Coma
• Dead

Therefore, early detection of symptoms of meningitis will help successful treatment and reduce the chance of further complications. Immediately consult a doctor to check for meningitis if you experience the symptoms and signs mentioned.