Meningitis Symptoms In Adults

Recognizing the meningitis symptoms in adults can save a person's life. The disease, which can be caused by a bacteria or a virus, causes the meninges to suffer. The Ohio State University Medical Lab defines the meninges as the tissue surrounding the brain. Children who suffer from a case of meningitis may have additional symptoms not listed here.

1. Nausea and Vomiting. These two symptoms are often confused with one another. Nausea means the feeling that a person needs to regurgitate material. Vomiting is the act. One obviously accompanies the other.
2. Headache, stiff neck, and join pain. Because meningitis affects the lining of the brain, it can show many other symptoms. The increased pressure on the head restricts blood vessels and may cause a person to experience a headache. The neck and stiff joints are caused by the way the disease affects the body and the brain.
3. Photophobia. An adult with a case of meningitis may have difficulty enduring bright light. Photophobia does not refer to an actual fear of light in most cases, but rather an inability to stay under one. An adult suffering from meningitis may want to keep the lights in his house down, but only after he receives medical attention.
4. Drowsiness. Drowsiness often occurs as a symptom of adult meningitis. The body's immune response uses extra energy to fight off the infection. A person may sleep more than usual when he suffers from meningitis.
5. Instability. A person who experiences this symptom may experience difficulty while standing or walking. Falls and weak legs are common signs of instability.
6. Loss of Appetite. Many illnesses, including meningitis, cause the patient to experience a lesser desire to eat. A patient only needs to be forced to eat in rare circumstances. Confusion can also occur.

The symptoms of meningitis in adults are similar to those in children. Children with the condition may experience pale, blue or blotchy skin or a high pitched cry.