The fluid and membranes surrounding the spinal cord and the brain are called the meninges, and inflammation and infection affecting these body parts is known as meningitis. Meningitis can be a somewhat polarizing condition, as there have been situations where the infection clears up within a few weeks, even without treatment, typically due to viral meningitis. However, bacterial meningitis is almost always fatal if left unchecked. Considering that the affected parts include the fluid and membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord, it comes as no surprise that meningitis is considered a life-threatening condition and should be treated as a medical emergency.
The trouble with meningitis is that early onset symptoms are close to the flu. You’ll have to be vigilant and keep track of the differences in symptoms to help figure out if it is the flu or if it could be something potentially serious, such as meningitis. Typically, viral meningitis will clear on its own, but every type of meningitis has the potential to become serious. It’s something that a doctor best tackles. Here are some of the most common symptoms of meningitis.
One of the first signs of meningitis is a lack of appetite. It’s a relatively common symptom for many different conditions, so it’s practically impossible to figure out that someone has meningitis simply from the lack of appetite. A lack of appetite is typically a sign that something is wrong, so it’s a warning sign to stay vigilant over the next few days. Those who don’t have an appetite should be given more water, and if they can force themselves to eat even just a small amount, it can help strengthen the body against what’s to come.
The lack of an appetite is a classic warning symptom and one that isn’t necessarily a medical emergency. It’s simply a sign that something might be wrong, so it’s more of a call to prepare rather than a call to action. Depending on the coming signs and symptoms, you can either rest easy and take the time to recuperate or potentially head to the doctor to get a more thorough examination. Either way, the lack of an appetite is only the first step toward conditions such as meningitis.