Can meningitis also occur without fever? | Meningitis

Can meningitis also occur without fever?

In rare cases, meningitis can occur even without fever. In children in particular, meningitis is often not symptomatic and in rare cases can occur without fever. The occurrence of meningitis without fever has also been reported in older people. In the case of a viral infection leading to meningitis, only a mild fever (just over 38°C) usually develops. There is a risk that the meningitis will not be recognized or misinterpreted.

Vaccination against meningitis

The so-called FSME vaccination is the only protective vaccination against viral meningitis. It is primarily intended for people who live in high-risk areas, such as Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, Russia, the Baltic States or Eastern Europe, and who are often in forest areas. This vaccination is recommended for forest workers and foresters as well as hikers and regular forest walkers.

The TBE vaccination is an active vaccination of a dead vaccine. This involves injecting dead pathogens into the muscle, to which the body then reacts by producing antibodies. In case of an actual infection with the pathogen, e.g. after a tick bite, the prepared immune system can then start the immune response and destroy the invading pathogen.

The basic immunization of the TBE vaccination consists of 3 partial vaccinations. After about 3 years, the booster vaccination should be carried out. There are also vaccines that have to be refreshed every year.

In this case, the corresponding manufacturer’s approval must be observed. Like any other vaccination, the TBE vaccination has corresponding risks and side effects. Due to the death vaccine, the feared excessive immune reactions of the body are rather low.

In some rare cases, however, an allergic reaction may occur. Relatively common, however, are inflammatory reactions in the area of the skin of the injection site with redness and swelling. It is also possible that there may be corresponding pain in the movement of the arm even days after the vaccination.

The arm should be spared. Sometimes after the vaccination there are also slight flu-like symptoms with slight fever and malaise. These symptoms should then disappear completely within a few days.

The vaccination has been developed purely to prevent TBE. Neither treatment can be carried out with a vaccination, nor does the vaccination make sense after a recent infection. After a tick bite, it is much more useful to check the remaining vaccination protection such as tetanus and diphtheria and should then be made up for if necessary.

Babies and infants have been vaccinated for several years with a vaccine against Haemophilus influenza, a pathogen that can also cause meningitis. In the third, fourth, fifth and 12th month of life the vaccination is administered and then lasts for the rest of the life. See: Vaccination against meningitis.

Together with a TBE vaccination from the age of 6 years, the greatest risks of meningitis can be reduced. However, an infection with one of the numerous other pathogens is not excluded.