Meningitis B leads to inflammation of the liquid that lines the spinal cord and brain. It occurs due to an infection caused by the Neisseria meningitidis bacteria and can lead to dizziness, poor appetite, and a flu-like condition. As people can get sick quickly after contact with an infected person’s saliva, it is important to know symptoms and act when they appear to oneself or others.

Symptoms of meningitis B
As Meningitis B can progress quickly, speak to a doctor if the following symptoms occur:

• Fever
  Since the fluid around the brain swells up, patients will initially develop a fever as the body tries to combat the bacteria. Fever, however, can occur due to several infections, so it may be far-fetched to rule it out as a singular indicative of meningitis B.
• Headache along with nausea
  Headache can range from a dull pain to a throbbing sensation and may be generalized all over the head and not always at specific points. Patients may also feel like vomiting and may experience recurring episodes of nausea. Severe cases may include confusion and drowsiness.

• A rigid neck
  Moving the neck will feel painful, especially bending it forward might lead to more pain. Some patients also complain of a sore throat. The stiffness in the neck could be due to the fluid around the spinal cord.

Diagnosis of meningitis B
Your doctor may look for indications of infection by checking symptoms and then looking at signs of inflammation around the head and spinal cord. Here are some diagnosis procedures:

• Blood cultures
  A sample of blood is placed in a specific plate to examine if germs, mainly bacteria, thrive there. A sample can also be stained on a slide and examined under a microscope to check if bacteria are present.
• Spinal tap
  A spinal tap to obtain cerebrospinal fluid is required for a conclusive diagnosis of meningitis. The fluid generally reveals low glucose levels, as well as elevated white blood cell and protein amounts.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
  Swelling or inflammation may be visible on MRI images of the head. X-rays or CT scans of the chest or sinuses may also reveal an infection linked to meningitis.

The faster the condition is identified and treated, the lower the chances of complications. A medical history, a physical exam, and the above diagnostic tests can help your family doctor diagnose meningitis.