# What are the symptoms of meningitis and how is it spread?
Meningitis develops when bacteria or viruses infect the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. The infection triggers an inflammatory response that can progress rapidly, sometimes within hours.
Early symptoms include high fever, severe headache, and a stiff neck. People often experience muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light. In infants and young children, signs differ. Parents should watch for a bulging fontanel (soft spot on the head), high-pitched crying, drowsiness, and difficulty feeding.
A characteristic rash appears in some cases, particularly with meningococcal meningitis. The rash starts as small red or purple spots that don't fade when pressed with a glass. This rash typically spreads across the trunk and limbs within hours.
The bacteria that causes meningitis spreads through respiratory droplets. When an infected person coughs or sneezes, they release droplets into the air. Close contacts inhale these droplets and become exposed. Sharing drinks, utensils, or kissing also transmits the infection.
A critical detail: some people carry meningococcal bacteria in their nose and throat without experiencing any symptoms. These carriers shed bacteria regularly, making them potential sources of infection for others. This asymptomatic carrier state complicates prevention efforts since carriers remain unaware they pose a transmission risk.
Household members, classmates, and healthcare workers in close contact with an infected person face elevated risk. However, the general public rarely contracts meningitis through casual contact alone.
Early recognition matters enormously. Bacterial meningitis requires immediate antibiotic treatment. Delays of even hours can result in serious complications, including hearing loss, brain damage, or death. Viral meningitis typically resolves on its own