Early symptoms of meningitis may be easy to dismiss or confuse
Meningitis is a serious infection that can develop rapidly and potentially cause lifelong complications if left without treatment for too long. However, some of its earliest warning signs can easily be dismissed and mistaken for much more common conditions.
Dr Donald Grant, GP and Senior Clinical Advisor at The Independent Pharmacy, highlighted seven specific illnesses that have a lot of overlapping symptoms with the early stages of meningitis. He emphasised that one of the key differences between these conditions and meningitis is that the latter will progress very quickly while others may take time for symptoms to worsen.
Key signs of meningitis according to the doctor:
- Stiff neck
- Confusion
- Seizures
- Sensitivity to light
- Rash that does not fade when pressed
Flu
In the early stages, meningitis may cause fever, headaches, fatigue, nausea and muscle aches. All of which can be triggered by the flu as well. However, the flu usually doesn’t cause other symptoms like confusion or sensitivity to light which may be the key in telling the difference.
Severe Migraine
Meningitis causes intense headaches and when paired with the light sensitivity symptom it’s easy to see why it can be mistaken for a migraine. The GP warned: “If symptoms occur alongside fever, confusion or neck stiffness, medical attention should be sought urgently.”
Gastroenteritis
Vomiting, fever and general fatigue are overlapping symptoms shared by gastroenteritis and meningitis but the latter will soon develop neurological symptoms which aren’t usually caused by stomach bugs.
Covid-19 or Viral Respiratory Infections
Meningitis also shares a lost of similar symptoms with other viral infections like Covid. The doctor noted that one of the few ways to tell the diferrence between these conditions is seeing how quickly the symptoms escalate.
Severe Sinus Infection
Also known as sinusitis, this condition can cause fever, fatigue and severe headaches just like the early stages of meningitis. However, it usually doesn’t cause neck stiffness or neurological symptoms as meningitis does.
Encephalitis
This condition involves inflammation of the brain. It can be very serious and must be treated as quickly as possible. Like meningitis, it also causes fever, headaches, confusion and sensitivity to light.
The GP said: “Because both conditions affect the brain and nervous system, distinguishing between them typically requires medical tests.”
Hangover or ‘Fresher’s Flu’
Dr Grant continued: “Interestingly, meningitis symptoms in young adults are sometimes mistaken for hangovers or what is often referred to as ‘fresher’s flu’, particularly in university settings where fatigue, headaches and nausea may seem routine. However, meningitis can progress extremely quickly, so persistent symptoms or sudden deterioration should never be ignored.
“If meningitis is suspected at any point, it is crucial to seek urgent medical attention. Early diagnosis and treatment significantly improve outcomes and can be lifesaving.”
