In adults, symptoms include:

• Light sensitivity
• Drowsiness
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Fever
• Joint aches and pain
• Muscle spasm
• Pain that radiates from the spine
• Seizures
• Stiff neck and back
• Sweating
• Vomiting
• Weight loss

In children, symptoms may include:

• A blank, staring expression
• A dislike of being touched or handled
• A high-pitched, moaning cry
• Arching back
• Fever with cold hands and feet
• Fretfulness
• Lethargy or difficulty waking up
• Pale, blotchy skin color
• Refusal to eat
• Vomiting
• Whimpering

When a child is affected, he or she may refuse to stand or sit because it hurts.

Causes and Risk Factors

Bacteria or a virus usually cause this condition. The infection occurs 10 days to two weeks before the symptoms appear.

If bacteria are the cause, examining spinal fluid under a microscope can confirm it. The sooner the condition is diagnosed and treated the better the outcome.

This disease needs emergency treatment in a hospital. Treatment includes intravenous or oral antibiotics with bed rest.