Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsUnderstanding Meningitis RashAppearanceOther SymptomsDiagnosisWho’s at Risk for Meningitis?Long-Term ComplicationsIs It Contagious?Similar RashesWhen to Contact a Healthcare Provider
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Understanding Meningitis Rash
Appearance
Other Symptoms
Diagnosis
Who’s at Risk for Meningitis?
Long-Term Complications
Is It Contagious?
Similar Rashes
When to Contact a Healthcare Provider
When bacterial meningitis leads tosepsis(a blood infection), also known as meningococcal septicemia or meningococcemia, it can cause a meningitis rash on the skin. A meningitis rash typically looks like pinpricks or bruises, which may be red or dark purple. This rash doesn’t fade when you press a glass against it.
In this article, we’ll review everything you need to know about the meningitis rash, including what it looks like, why it happens, and how to conduct “the glass test.”
janiecbros / Getty Images
IfNeisseria meningitidisbacteria, which causes meningitis, invade the body and bloodstream, they can cause an infection that damages internal organs and blood vessels. This damage causes the rash often associated with severe cases of meningitis. This “rash” is broken blood vessels that are leaking under the skin, which makes it look different from many other, more typicalrashes.
What Does a Meningitis Rash Look Like?
Meningitis rashes can look very different from person to person, depending on their skin tone, how far their disease has progressed, and many other factors. Not all cases of meningitis lead to a rash, but it is a sign that you or your child needs immediate medical attention.
A meningitis rash often begins as a “petechial rash,” meaning it causes purple or red pinprick-like spots on the skin. Later, it may become a “purpuric rash,” which means it looks like large blotchy bruises, which may be red, purple, or brown.
These spots can appear anywhere on the body, but they are especially common on the legs, feet, and pelvic area. If the rash progresses, it can extend to areas of the face, such as the eyes, nose, and lips.
Meningitis rashes are harder to see on darker skin. You may be able to spot the pinpricks or blotches on lighter parts of the body, such as the:
At first, a meningitis rash is often blanching, which means it turns white or lighter when you apply pressure to the area. If the bacteria continues to spread and cause serious damage, it may become non-blanching, meaning it does not go away when you press it.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoReproduced with permission from © DermNet and © Te Whatu Oradermnetnz.org2023.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See Photo
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.
Reproduced with permission from © DermNet and © Te Whatu Oradermnetnz.org2023.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoReproduced with permission from © DermNet dermnetnz.org 2023.
Reproduced with permission from © DermNet dermnetnz.org 2023.
Other Meningitis Symptoms
In addition to a distinctive rash, people may experience the following symptoms of meningitis, including:
Symptoms in Infants and Children
Babies and young children may have different signs and symptoms of meningitis, such as:
The Glass Test
How a Meningitis Rash Is Diagnosed
It’s not always easy to diagnose meningitis right away. If you have a meningitis rash or any other potential symptoms of meningococcal disease, your healthcare provider will typically be able to diagnose your condition through tests, such as:
Because meningitis is serious and even fatal, your healthcare provider must start treating you immediately. Meningitis can be treated with:
There are several risk factors that may put someone at a higher risk for developing meningitis, including:
Long-Term Meningitis Complications
The most common long-term complications of meningitis may include hearing loss or neurological damage, including brain damage and other problems with the nervous system. In severe cases, meningitis can also lead to limb loss. If your meningitis rash spreads and blood vessel damage is extensive, oxygen may fail to travel to your extremities (legs, feet, arms, and hands) effectively. This could lead to tissue death and require theamputationof one or more limbs.
Other potential complications of meningitis may include:
Is Meningitis Contagious?
While meningococcal bacteria can be spread through saliva, meningitis isn’t usually as contagious as other viral illnesses. You can catch meningitis through prolonged close contact with someone who has meningitis, such as:
If one of your close contacts, such as a sexual partner, family member, or roommate, has been diagnosed with meningitis, your healthcare provider may recommend that you take antibiotics even if you aren’t showing any symptoms.
Vaccinations are also available to prevent some types of bacterial meningitis. The haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib) vaccine is given to infants and children, and the pneumococcal andmeningococcal vaccinescan be administered to both children and adults.
What Other Rashes Look Like Meningitis?
There are a few other rashes that can be confused with meningitis, such as:
Early treatment is key when it comes to preventing serious and even fatal medical complications of meningitis. If you or your child develops a skin condition that looks like a meningitis rash, seek emergency medical help. Call 911 or go to the hospital right away.
It’s important to remember that not everyone with meningitis will develop a rash. Some people may not develop one, while others might have a milder version or one that looks atypical. Even if you don’t have a rash, it’s crucial that you get immediate medical assistance if you think you may have meningitis.
Summary
The rash is distinctive, often like clusters of pinpricks or large bruises. It’s typically a non-blanching rash, meaning that it maintains its appearance even when you press something against it. However, it can present in many different ways.
Meningitis is a life-threatening condition. Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you or a loved one develops a meningitis rash or any other symptoms of meningococcal disease.
11 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Meningitis.Meningitis Research Foundation.What is the meningitis rash?National Health Service.Meningitis - symptoms.U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Signs and symptoms of meningococcal disease.U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Meningococcal disease diagnosis and treatment.U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Meningococcal disease risk factors.National Health Service.Meningitis - complications.U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Meningococcal disease causes and how it spreads.MedlinePlus.Purpura.National Health Service.Vasculitis.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Hives: Causes.
11 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Meningitis.Meningitis Research Foundation.What is the meningitis rash?National Health Service.Meningitis - symptoms.U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Signs and symptoms of meningococcal disease.U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Meningococcal disease diagnosis and treatment.U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Meningococcal disease risk factors.National Health Service.Meningitis - complications.U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Meningococcal disease causes and how it spreads.MedlinePlus.Purpura.National Health Service.Vasculitis.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Hives: Causes.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
MedlinePlus.Meningitis.Meningitis Research Foundation.What is the meningitis rash?National Health Service.Meningitis - symptoms.U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Signs and symptoms of meningococcal disease.U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Meningococcal disease diagnosis and treatment.U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Meningococcal disease risk factors.National Health Service.Meningitis - complications.U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Meningococcal disease causes and how it spreads.MedlinePlus.Purpura.National Health Service.Vasculitis.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Hives: Causes.
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Meningitis Research Foundation.What is the meningitis rash?
National Health Service.Meningitis - symptoms.
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Signs and symptoms of meningococcal disease.
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Meningococcal disease diagnosis and treatment.
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Meningococcal disease risk factors.
National Health Service.Meningitis - complications.
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Meningococcal disease causes and how it spreads.
MedlinePlus.Purpura.
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