Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsFrequent SymptomsRare SymptomsComplicationsWhen to Go to a Hospital
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Frequent Symptoms
Rare Symptoms
Complications
When to Go to a Hospital
Meningitis B is an infection with the B subtype ofNeisseria meningitidis. The most common symptoms include fever, headache, and stiff neck.Sometimes, people can also have nausea, vomiting, confusion, or light sensitivity.
In this article, learn more about the frequent and rare symptoms of meningitis B, complications associated with the illness, and when you should see a healthcare provider.
The most common and nonspecific symptoms associated with meningitis B include:
People can also develop neck stiffness.
Other associated symptoms include:
The symptoms typically develop three to seven days after exposure to the bacteria.
Severe neurologic symptoms do not always occur but can include abnormal findings on a neurologic exam, such as:
Infants and Babies
Some of these symptoms are difficult to assess in newborns andbabiesor differ in older individuals. Babies may be:
Curable if Treated EarlyMeningitis B istreatableand curable without complications if antibiotics are given early.
Curable if Treated Early
Meningitis B istreatableand curable without complications if antibiotics are given early.
Older People
The most common symptoms of meningitis in older people include headache, fever, and malaise. Still, older people have these symptoms less frequently than younger people.Their meningitis does not present with classic characteristics.
Instead, they are more likely to have abnormal neurologic findings on exam, such as:
They can also present withseizures(uncontrolled electrical activity in the brain).
Other more concerning findings that suggest meningitis B and the spread of the bacteria to the bloodstream calledsepticemia(sepsis) include:
Meningococcemia(spread ofNeisseria meningitidisto the bloodstream) is life-threatening. Once this stage of illness has occurred, death can occur within hours.
However, meningitis B is uncommon, and meningococcemia does not always occur, making this severe manifestation rare. It most often happens in young people (babies, teens, and young adults). Thankfully, young people usually do not have other underlying medical illnesses that put them at risk for death from this disease.
Mortality Rate for Meningitis BThe mortality rate for people with meningitis B is approximately 10%.
Mortality Rate for Meningitis B
The mortality rate for people with meningitis B is approximately 10%.
Based on the similarity of symptoms in all cases of meningitis, it is challenging for healthcare providers to differentiate the symptoms of meningitis B from other causes of meningitis. However, the defining characteristic of severe meningitis B is a petechial rash along with other meningitis signs and symptoms.
Most people recover from bacterial meningitis. However, some people can developpermanent disabilitiessuch as:
Some chronic neurologic issues include:
People who develop septicemia (sepsis) can develop scarring on the limbs and might have required amputation.
Generally, older people, especially those with chronic medical conditions and people who develop neurologic signs of meningitis, are more likely to experience long-term complications.Older people are also at higher risk of dying from meningitis B.
Vaccination RecommendationsPreteens (11 to 12 years) should receive one dose ofmeningococcal vaccinethat protects against subtypes A, C, W, and Y.Teens and young adults (16 to 23 years) should receive a booster dose of meningococcal vaccine, and they should also be vaccinated with a subtype B meningococcal vaccine, preferably between ages 16 to 18.
Vaccination Recommendations
Preteens (11 to 12 years) should receive one dose ofmeningococcal vaccinethat protects against subtypes A, C, W, and Y.Teens and young adults (16 to 23 years) should receive a booster dose of meningococcal vaccine, and they should also be vaccinated with a subtype B meningococcal vaccine, preferably between ages 16 to 18.
While the reasons behind this difference are not understood, one recent study found that females are more likely to die from meningitis B than males.Further research into this difference is ongoing.
It is difficult for anyone, including healthcare providers, to differentiate meningitis B from other forms of meningitis.The only way to know for sure is to evaluate further with laboratory and cerebrospinal fluid studies.
People who develop the characteristic petechial rash and have meningitis symptoms can be pretty sure they have meningitis B. However, it can be too late when the rash has developed.
Healthcare providers recommend that people with fever, severe headache, and other symptoms of meningitis, such as a stiff neck, vomiting, light sensitivity, or confusion, be evaluated for bacterial meningitis.
Often fever and a headache can seem like another viral illness. If a person is getting worse or has other associated symptoms, meningitis might be the cause.
Summary
These symptoms are not always present in infants and older people who instead have irritability, less activity, or specific neurologic deficits. People with severe disease can develop meningococcemia, the spread ofNeisseria meningitidisto the bloodstream, which is life-threatening.
Most people recover from bacterial meningitis B, but some people can develop chronic neurologic disabilities. It can be challenging to differentiate meningitis B from other forms of meningitis. Diagnosis requires laboratory and cerebrospinal fluid evaluation. People with a severe headache and fever, primarily when associated with one of the other symptoms, should seek medical care.
A Word From Verywell
It is tough to know if you have meningitis B when you have a headache and fever. Any viral syndrome that has a fever can also cause a headache. Viral meningitis is uncomfortable and painful but is not life-threatening like bacterial meningitis B.
Thankfully, meningitis B is rare. If your fever and headache are the worst you’ve ever had and are associated with other symptoms like a stiff neck or photophobia, seek medical care.
10 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.
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Diagnosis and complications of meningococcal disease.
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