How long does it take meningitis to develop?
The first symptoms of viral meningitis typically appear between 3 to 7 days after being exposed to the infection. Symptoms of bacterial meningitis appear and progress quickly – bacterial meningitis is the most dangerous type of meningitis, and the infection progresses the fastest.
How long does bacterial meningitis incubate?
The incubation period for bacterial meningitis, the most serious types of meningitis, is about three to five days after initial contact with the microbe. However, in some individuals, bacterial meningitis symptoms can occur as rapidly as 24 hours.
How contagious is Neisseria meningitidis?
Generally, it takes close (for example, coughing or kissing) or lengthy contact to spread these bacteria. Fortunately, they are not as contagious as germs that cause the common cold or the flu. People do not catch the bacteria through casual contact or by breathing air where someone with meningococcal disease has been.
What is the incubation period for viral and bacterial meningitis?
Some of us have meningitis-causing bacteria in our throats or noses. Even if we don’t get sick, we can still spread it to others. According to the World Health Organization , the incubation period is between two and 10 days.
Does meningitis come on slowly?
Tissues Covering the Brain Bacterial meningitis may be subacute rather than acute. Chronic meningitis develops slowly, over weeks or longer, and may last for months to years. Rarely, chronic meningitis causes only mild symptoms and resolves on its own.
How do you catch viral meningitis?
You can get viral meningitis by breathing in viral particles that have been sneezed or coughed into the air by another infected person. You can also become infected by touching surfaces contaminated with the virus, or through contact with faeces (for example, by changing nappies).
What is the difference between viral and bacterial meningitis?
What is Meningitis? Meningitis is an infection of the tissues covering the brain and spinal cord (meninges). Viral meningitis is an infection caused by viruses and bacterial meningitis is an infection caused by bacteria.
What are 3 symptoms of meningitis?
Symptoms
- Sudden high fever.
- Stiff neck.
- Severe headache that seems different from normal.
- Headache with nausea or vomiting.
- Confusion or difficulty concentrating.
- Seizures.
- Sleepiness or difficulty waking.
- Sensitivity to light.
How long is viral meningitis infectious?
Viral meningitis can be contagious from 3 days after infection starts to about 10 days after symptoms develop. Bacterial meningitis is usually less contagious than viral meningitis. It’s generally contagious during the incubation period and an additional 7 to 14 days.
Can an MRI detect viral meningitis?
Brain imaging using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) can sometimes detect inflammation of meningitis. This is typically done along with a contrast, a substance that gets injected into a vein so tissues stand out more on scans.