Key Warning Signs Of Meningitis

Skin Rash

The skin rash associated with meningitis is most often seen in cases of bacterial meningitis. It typically appears as purplish-reddish dots, and it may resemble a bruise or look like pinprick marks or blotches. The rash is actually a sign of bleeding underneath the skin, and it can occur in both children and adults with meningitis. The skin rash is usually not elevated above the surface of the skin, so areas with the rash will often still feel smooth; the rash does not normally feel rough or bumpy. When pressed with a glass, the rash will not change color.

This symptom tends to develop in the later stages of meningitis, and the rash often spreads quickly to cover large areas of the body. Patients may have meningitis without a skin rash, so it is important to seek medical care immediately for any symptoms that could be associated with this condition.

Seizures

Seizures are most likely to occur in cases of viral meningitis, and they tend to develop in the later stages of this condition. A seizure is a sudden period of abnormal electrical activity in the brain, and it can cause a patient to lose consciousness. The patient may jerk their arms and legs violently and repeatedly, some end up biting their tongue or losing bladder control during a seizure. After a seizure, the patient generally has no memory of the event, and they may not remember some of the events that immediately preceded the seizure. Confusion, anxiety, and a sense of deja vu could be present. Most seizures last for thirty to 120 seconds, and a seizure that lasts more than five minutes is considered a medical emergency.

Since seizures can have many causes, an ambulance should be called for anyone who has experienced a seizure for the first time, and emergency medical treatment is also necessary if the patient displays symptoms associated with meningitis. Doctors can administer injectable medications to try to stop a seizure, and patients may need to have an electroencephalogram to determine the underlying cause of the seizure. If an infection is suspected as a cause of the seizure, a lumbar puncture might be performed as well.