Meningitis?

[JayyKehh]

Hi, I have a question about possible meningitis.

Two days ago, I started with lower back pain. Yesterday, I had flu like symptoms, headache, chills, loss of appetite, and a stiff neck. The neck isn excruciating at all, but it's stiff when I turn it left and right, just annoying. Today, I feel a lot better, the headache seems to be much less, or none, and my lower back pain is not really bothering me anymore. The only thing that remains basically is a very small dry cough that doesn't bother me that much, loss of appetite and neck stiffness. Other than that I feel fine.

I keep hearing terrible stories of instant death from meningitis. In which case tomorrow would be my dying day lol. (the dreaded 3rd day).

Do you think I might have viral or bacterial meningitis? Also, I know only a spinal tap can tell you what it is really but does the fact that my symptoms have lessened drastically overnight hint that it might be viral?

One more thing, what do they do when a 20 year old fully cognizant college student goes to the emergency room thinking he might have meningitis? Only the lumbar puncture, or other tests?

Thanks.

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi
Welcome to the MedHelp forum!
To diagnose meningitis, a lumbar puncture is not done straightaway. After a careful history, the doctor examines you. There are many signs that can be elicited by clinical examination, and if they are present, the doctor orders a lumbar puncture.
Neck stiffness can be one of the diagnostic symptoms of meningitis. However, it is present even in simple viral fever or due to sleeping in wrong posture. Meningitis can be mild and symptoms can settle down on their own too.
Do discuss this with your doctor and get yourself examined. Take care!

[geminigirl1963]

I'm definitely no doctor - or in the medical profession at all - but I don't think you have too much to worry about regarding meningitis.  From what I know and have read, heard, etc. - the stiff neck from meningitis is "typically" more of a problem when trying to touch the chin to the chest, rather than moving it from left to right.

Also with meningitis (both viral and bacterial, although more with bacterial), there is usually a high fever.

Have you been exposed to meningitis?  I understand you are a college student, and meningitis can be more prevalent in close quarters such as when living in a dorm.

My honest thoughts are that you have a flu virus rather than meningitis, however, if you have been exposed to meningitis, you most definitely need to be checked.  If you have been exposed to meningitis, by all means go to the ER and tell them you have been exposed and have been feeling somewhat sick.  Meningitis IS quite contagious, so also if you have been exposed, it would be best if you could wear a surgical type mask until you can get to the hospital and get treated.

Also, if you are still worried, or if your symptoms get worse, it wouldn't hurt to get checked by a doctor to see exactly what's going on.  If you do mention that you're concerned about meningitis, they will probably do several tests - blood work, xrays, etc. - depending on the severity of your symptoms, what those tests show and whether or not you have actually been exposed to the disease, will most likely determine whether they do a spinal tap on you.

I hope you feel better!