Tejal Somvanshi
A sudden severe headache with fever and a stiff neck can be a sign of bacterial meningitis, a serious infection that can start quickly. If you are travelling, knowing the signs can help you get care in time.
Bacterial meningitis is an infection of the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord. Fever and a stiff neck are classic signs. The onset is typically sudden. Meningitis is a medical emergency that needs urgent care, and antibiotics should start as early as possible. Some people who carry the bacteria have no symptoms at all.
Bacterial meningitis can spread from person to person through throat secretions. Close or prolonged contact with a person who has meningococcal meningitis raises the risk. Washing your hands after touching nasal or oral secretions helps reduce the risk. Vaccines offer the best protection against common types of bacterial meningitis, including meningococcal and pneumococcal disease. Ask a doctor or travel clinic about vaccination before a trip.
About one in five people with bacterial meningitis have long-term complications. That is one reason to act at once on the first signs.
If you have a sudden severe headache, fever, a stiff neck or confusion while travelling, go to a hospital straight away. In Australia, call 000 in an emergency.
