Symptoms and Diagnosis of Meningitis

Professor Vladimir Nikiforov, Head of the Infectious Diseases and Epidemiology Department at the Clinical Medicine Institute of Pirogov Medical University, confirmed that the main sign requiring immediate hospitalization when infected with meningococcal bacteria is the inability to touch the chin to the chest.

Nikiforov said, “It is difficult to identify all patients because the disease can appear in different forms, such as meningococcal nasopharyngitis, which combines symptoms of rhinitis and pharyngitis, and these people pose the greatest epidemic risk.”

He pointed out that the clinical picture of meningitis is very clear and includes high fever, persistent headache, and neck muscle stiffness. He added, “Usually, a person can touch their chest with their chin, but in the case of meningitis, they will not be able to do so. Therefore, any suspicion of infection, even if mild, requires immediate hospitalization.”

Nikiforov explained that meningococcal infection tends to affect obese children and adults of mature age, while children who fall ill frequently are often less susceptible.

The doctor advised vaccination against meningococcal bacteria to prevent meningitis, noting that antibodies after vaccination remain active for at least three years.