What are the Symptoms of Fungal Meningitis?

Last updated 7 months ago

Fungal meningitis may develop slowly and the disease may be difficult to diagnose and treat. However sometimes the onset of the infection can be acute and symptoms may develop quickly.

The symptoms of fungal meningitis are similar to other forms of meningitis and hospital tests are required to tell which organism is responsible for causing the disease. The symptoms may include:

Headache
Neck stiffness
Nausea and vomiting
Muscle or joint pain
Drowsiness / confusion
Dislike of bright lights
Convulsions
Altered mental state
Fever
Dizziness
Problems with coordination
Memory loss
Behavior changes (such as irritability)
Problems with vision

The symptoms do not need to occur in any order and may not all be present. If you think you may have meningitis seek medical attention and advice quickly.

In this article written by physician and writer Manoj Jain, MD, the doctor says, “If a patient has headache, confusion or stiff neck along with the fever then I become suspicious for meningitis. Meningitis is simply an infection of the sac and the sterile fluid that surrounds the brain and the spinal cord. From the clinical presentation, it is impossible to know which type of meningitis a patient has.

So who should seek medical attention? Any patients who have had a steroid injection after May 21, 2012 and are having symptoms of meningitis or a stroke, as well as patients with back-bone infection or joint infection after steroid injections. Just today at the hospital we were consulted on a patient who had a steroid injection in the back.

Many doctors, including myself, are going through a steep learning curve about the outbreak and better diagnosis and management of fungal meningitis. Likewise, many patients who have previously had any form of steroid injections are very anxious. Most certainly this outbreak of fungal meningitis will be contained, yet it is important for all of us to stay informed.” Read the full article here.

fungal meningitis