Meningitis can be life threatening, so it’s important to recognize symptoms in kids like fever, irritability, bulging fontanelles, a rash, and others. If you suspect meningitis, seek medical care immediately.
Meningitis is an inflammation of the membrane surrounding the brain and spinal cord. It can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi. The symptoms may be different depending on a child’s age and what causes the meningitis.
Meningitis is a serious illness that can be life threatening. It’s important to recognize the symptoms so you know when to seek immediate medical care for your child.
Read on to learn more about the symptoms of meningitis, why they happen, and what to do if you think your child has meningitis.
Children under 5 years old are at risk of meningitis since their immune systems are still developing. Infants may worsen quickly and become very ill.
Meningitis may occur along with a condition called sepsis, which is an infection in the blood that can affect other internal organs like the lungs and brain. The same bacteria that cause meningitis may cause sepsis as well.
Don’t wait to seek care just because you don’t see a rash. Infants and young children may not get a meningitis rash until they are very sick, and some kids may not have a rash at all.
Here are the common symptoms of meningitis in babies and young children
Symptoms in infants and young children may be different from those of older children and adolescents. Children under 5 years old may have the following more common symptoms of meningitis:
- fever
- irritability
- lethargy
- bulging fontanelle (soft spot on the head)
- poor feeding or refusal to eat
- atypical reflexes
- vomiting
- respiratory distress or rapid breathing
- seizures
Less common symptoms of meningitis in infants and young children
Infants and young children may also have these symptoms. They are seen less frequently and may include:
- rash
- muscle or joint pain
- diarrhea
- cold extremities
Meningitis rash
Meningitis rash isn’t always present, but when it is, it is distinctive, starting as small dots or “pinpricks” and progressing to larger spots. Here are images of meningitis rash.
The glass test
One characteristic of meningitis rash is that it doesn’t fade when you press the rash-covered area. One way to do this and still see the skin is to use the side of a clear glass to press the skin. You will be able to see the meningitis rash through the glass.
Regardless of the cause of meningitis, there are a few symptoms that older kids and adolescents may have, such as:
- fever
- severe headache
- stiff neck
- altered mental state
- photophobia
- nausea
- vomiting
- rash
- seizures
Comparison of meningitis symptoms in kids by age
| Symptom | Infants and Toddlers | Older Children and Adolescents |
|---|---|---|
| Fever | often present | often present |
| Headache | rare and hard to detect | common |
| Stiff neck | uncommon and hard to determine | common |
| Irritability | common | may occur |
| Lethargy/confusion | common | common |
| Poor feeding/anorexia | common | less common |
| Bulging fontanelle | sometimes present | not present |
| Vomiting | common | common |
| Photophobia | uncommon | common |
| Seizures | possible, especially if the child has complications | possible |
| Rash | may be present in some bacterial infections | may be present in some bacterial infections |
In babies, the symptoms of meningitis may easily be mistaken for other illnesses, but they can progress to severe or life threatening illness very fast. If your baby has any symptoms of meningitis or you think they may have it, call 911 or go to the nearest ER.
In children and adolescents in general, any combination of the following symptoms may be a medical emergency and is cause to immediate emergency medical care:
- fever
- headache
- stiff neck
- unusual behavior
- irritability
- Vomiting
- bulging fontanelle
If your child has any of the symptoms of meningitis, or if you suspect your child or baby has meningitis, it’s an emergency. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. Be sure to let the medical staff know that you think your child may have meningitis, especially if they have symptoms like:
- headache
- neck stiffness
- high fever
- vomiting
- rash
- confusion
- trouble waking
- seizures
Even if you’re not sure that it’s meningitis, seek immediate care.
Don’t send your child to school or day care if you think they may have meningitis. Keep them away from other family members if possible.
At the ER, they will want to know the following information:
- When did your child start having symptoms? In addition to symptoms of illness, your child may have had changes in behavior, excessive sleepiness, or a rash.
- Has your child had other illnesses, medications, vaccinations, or a history of being around others who were ill? Have they been in contact with anyone who has meningitis or symptoms of meningitis?
If possible, take someone with you to help remember details. If your child is diagnosed with meningitis, family members and close contacts may need to see a healthcare professional, especially if your child has bacterial meningitis.
Above all, trust your instincts. Even if you’re not sure they have meningitis, take them to the ER. Meningitis can progress fast and may be life threatening.
Meningitis vaccination to help prevent meningitis in kids
The meningococcal vaccine can help protect some children against meningitis.
The
- children 2 months through 10 years old who are at greater risk of meningitis
- older adolescents need meningitis vaccines starting in middle school (11-12 years old) and boosters in high school (16-18 years old)
- most college-aged kids (most colleges require meningitis vaccines as a condition of on-campus housing)
There are several types of meningitis based on what has caused the infection, including:
Bacterial meningitis
Common causes include the following bacteria:
- Streptococcus pneumonia
- Neisseria meningitidis
- Haemophilus influenza
This form is the most serious and has the most rapid progression. Your child will need immediate antibiotics. There’s an increased risk of severe complications from this type.
Viral meningitis
This type is often caused by enteroviruses, is usually less severe, and may resolve on its own.
Fungal meningitis
This form of meningitis is caused by fungi and is very rare in healthy children. However, it’s more common in those with weakened immune systems. It can be difficult to treat.
Amebic meningitis
This type of meningitis is very rare and caused by a one-celled organism called a Naegleria fowleri amoeba. The amoeba is found in warm, fresh-water lakes and rivers, larger puddles, soil, and tap water. If a person swims in water that has these amoebas, they can swim into the nose and up into the brain. This type of meningitis is not contagious, and it is not transmitted by drinking water with the amoeba in it. Treatment is difficult and often not effective.
Parasitic meningitis
This is another very rare type of meningitis caused by parasites found in animals. It is transmitted when people eat contaminated meat containing animal feces.
It’s important to learn about the symptoms of meningitis in kids. The symptoms are slightly different in infants and younger children than in older children and adolescents. Babies are less likely to have a rash, stiff neck, or headache than older kids.
If your child has any symptoms of meningitis or you think they may have it, they need emergency medical care – call 911 or take them to the nearest ER. Be sure to let the staff know your child may have meningitis. It’s important to keep your child home from school or day care if you think they have meningitis.
Depending on the type of meningitis, treatment may be effective; however, meningitis can quickly become life threatening. That’s why it’s so important to seek emergency care if you think your child may have meningitis.