Any experience of meningitis in adults?

[pandafanda]

DP has been feeling unwell since 5pm yesterday. I wouldn't be too concerned but one of his symptoms is a stiff neck which I know is associated with meningitis.

No rash. No vomiting. No temperature.

Just general aches all over, feeling "unwell", slept most of the day today, and the stiff neck since midday. Intermittently hot and cold. Cold feet, hot face.

Does this sound like anything to be concerned about?

He is loathe to call 111 as he's still embarrassed from a time that he had chest pain and went to A&E only to be told it was nothing...

Can he put his chin on his chest?

Stiff neck is usually swollen glands which is immune system fighting something off I think ?

Absolutely go up A&E. As a nurse, I would urge you to go.

He can put his chin on his chest but describes it as feeling like he has whiplash.

Does he have a severe headache and photosensitivity?

I was always told that it was a good sign if you could move your neck enough to do that. Keep an eye though and remember that the rash is the last thing to show and you've progressed far by then. Could be you vial rather than bacterial which isn't as bad.

Would be daft not to at least call 111 just to see what they say though.

Mild headache, not severe. He can look at the lights but it hurts to do so.

No temperature is reassuring

He's at 38.1 degrees. Just checked, it's gone up since last checked but not hugely so.

I was exactly the same for three days. On the morning if the third day i was covered in a rash. I almost died of meningitis. The symptoms i had was severe pain all over and a flu type feeling. NHS direct said i had backache. I didnt go straight to hospital because if that crap service.

Does it respond to paracetamol? If he's been taking that all day it may have been keeping the temp at bay. Call 111 to ask their advice.

I was screaming in pain by the third day. Vile. Worse than childbirth.

I didnt have a high temp either.

I had meningitis at 18. Stiffness in joints, headache, sensitivity to light.
My parents acted quickly, and that's why I'm still here today. I was still unconscious for several hours and had a week long stay in hospital though.
I would ring/ take him in. Better to be a bit embarrassed than the alternative.

I think I’d call 111. He’s got headache, photophobia, stiff neck and a fever so several symptoms rather than just one. Hopefully it’s just a flu type virus but I think it’s worth checking out.

Op. My partner died from meningitis. It presented as a fluey virus - no rash, no vomiting. Like your dh. I called the GP, who dud a home visit and said it was flu.

My boyfriend collapsed and fitted that night. He never regained consciousness.

The GP was very apologetic. But that didn’t bring my boyfriend back.

Please ring 111.

No background experience but from others comments I think you should ring 111 immediately, I think they will suggest hospital. Better safe then sorry. I wouldn't wait x

I have looked after people on ITU who started off like this and were fobbed off by GPs. Ended up with necrotic limbs and extremely poorly. Please get him checked out, A&E would never be annoyed at seeing someone with your DH's symptoms.

My DH had viral meningitis that started like this but progressed and I marched him to A&E when his temp spiked and he had what he described as the worst headache of his life. Definitely worth a call to 111 and keep a good eye on him.

I had meningitis in July, felt 'rough' on the Monday, Tuesday morning I couldn't get out of bed, being violently sick, stiff neck, splitting headache, the worst I've ever experienced, extreme light sensitivity and fever of 39.1. Mo rash (as this is actually sepsis developing rather than meningitis itself) I had to be extracted by paramedics and I have no recollection of 5 days of life. Spent 12 days in isolation in hospital.

Keep an eye on him but stiff neck is only one symptom of many, hope all is well soon

Hope all is ok OP x

My sister had it at 23 or thereabouts. For her it started with an extreme headache and sore neck. Then her knee swelled up. Doc sent her to a&e, hospital thought septic arthritis. As she got worse they did a lumbar puncture and it was meningitis

Hope he is ok. I agree he needs to be seen.

Thanks all. He seems better today. Temperature has gone and he's up and about rather than just sleeping. His neck OTOH is worse, he cannot touch his chest with his chin today. No temperature whatsoever though. No headache and no light sensitivity. I'm keeping an eye on it, he's adamant he's ok. Thanks for checking in.

Dragonfire I'm so sorry to hear what happened to your boyfriend