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It's easy to mistake the early signs and symptoms of meningitis for the flu (influenza). Meningitis symptoms may develop over a period of one or two days and typically include:

• A high fever
• Severe headache
• Vomiting or nausea with headache
• Confusion, or difficulty concentrating — in the very young, this may appear as inability to maintain eye contact
• Seizures
• Sleepiness or difficulty waking up
• Stiff neck
• Sensitivity to light
• Lack of interest in drinking and eating
• Skin rash in some cases, such as in viral or meningococcal meningitis

Earlier signs and symptoms that may suggest a serious infection, although not necessarily meningitis, include:

• Leg pain
• Ice-cold hands and feet
• Abnormally pale skin tone

Signs in newborns
Newborns and young infants may not have the classic signs and symptoms of headache and stiff neck. Instead, signs and symptoms of meningitis in this age group may include:

• Constant crying
• Excessive sleepiness or irritability
• Poor feeding
• A bulge in the soft spot on top of a baby's head (fontanel)
• Stiffness in the baby's body and neck

Infants with meningitis may be difficult to comfort, and may even cry harder when picked up.

If you or your child has bacterial meningitis, delaying treatment increases the risk of permanent brain damage. In addition, bacterial meningitis can prove fatal in a matter of days. Seek medical care right away if you or anyone in your family has any signs or symptoms.

When to see a doctor
If you or someone in your family has signs or symptoms of meningitis — such as fever, severe headache, confusion, vomiting and stiff neck — seek medical care right away. There's no way to know what kind of meningitis you or your child has without seeing your doctor and undergoing testing.

Viral meningitis may improve without treatment in a few days, but bacterial meningitis is serious and can come on very quickly. If you or your child has bacterial meningitis, the sooner the treatment begins, the better the chances of a recovery without serious complications.

Also talk to your doctor if a family member or someone you work with has meningitis. You may need to take medications to prevent getting sick.