10 Symptoms of Meningitis
Symptom #5: Fever and Chills
A high or low fever which may be accompanied by chills, are additional meningitis symptoms. These symptoms may be confusing as to whether they signify meningitis or flu. In both cases fever may occur. In meningitis, fever occurs because of meningeal inflammation, and serves as part of the body’s self-defense mechanism to eliminate the pathogen responsible. Cytokines released during the immune response to the pathogens affect neurons in the hypothalamus (an area of the brain), that are in charge of the body’s temperature regulation. Invading pathogens also produce substances (pyrogens) that can contribute to the re-set of the hypothalamic thermal set point and cause fever. Younger children are less likely to exhibit the classic symptoms of fever, headache, and meningeal signs.
If you or your child has an unexplained fever that is accompanied by another symptom suggestive of meningitis, take him to a doctor without delay.
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