Symptoms of meningitis vary depending on the nature of the infection. In the case of viral meningitis, symptoms may be very mild and resemble those of a cold, sometimes accompanied by low-grade fever and a rash. In some cases, no symptoms appear at all.

However, all cases of meningitis require emergency medical attention because some forms of meningitis are potentially serious and even fatal. Any symptoms that appear should be treated seriously.

Symptoms of meningitis infection may appear in as little as 24 hours, and in severe cases they may rapidly progress. Such symptoms may include:

• Fever
• Headache
• Confusion or disorientation
• Stiff or painful neck (resulting in difficulty or inability to touch chin to chest)
• Muscle aches or weakness
• Vomiting
• Seizures
• Sluggishness
• Sensitivity to light
• Skin rash

Infants with meningitis typically exhibit some different symptoms than adults. These are often difficult to identify. Parents may find it difficult to awaken their baby, or the baby may refuse to eat. In latter stages, the child may experience spasms in which the body is extremely hyperextended (opisthotonos). Other symptoms may include:

• Fever
• Irritability
• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin, whites of the eyes and mucous membranes)
• Neck rigidity
• High pitched cry
• Bulging of the soft spot (fontanelle) on top of the skull

People with severe forms of meningitis may quickly develop complications that include stroke symptoms, low blood pressure, paralysis, blindness, hearing loss, loss of speech and brain damage. Stupor and coma also can occur, and death can quickly follow. The longer a person waits to be treated following infection, the more severe symptoms are likely to be.