Signs and Symptoms of Bacterial Meningitis
The CDC describes meningitis as a bacterial or viral infection of the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord, which usually causes inflammation or swelling.
In its earliest phase, meningococcal disease can cause pale or mottled skin, a purplish rash, unusually cold feet and hands, fast breathing, along with limb, joint and muscle pain.
As it progresses, symptoms include feeling very sleepy or faint, a high fever, vomiting, confusion or deliriousness.
Meningococcal disease starts in the nose and throat, where it multiplies before entering the bloodstream. Once in the bloodstream, the bacterial infection essentially poisons the blood, which in turn, causes swelling of the protective lining which covers the brain and spinal cord.
Once the swelling begins, the bacterial infection becomes meningitis. Symptoms include light sensitivity, seizures, severe headaches, and a stiff neck.
“For all the young students out there, our daughter was just like you…was healthy, was in the prime of her life,” Greg says. “And in a matter of a few days, she died from bacterial meningitis. I encourage all those students, for her sake, to get vaccinated.”
