Understanding Meningitis Diagnosis

Meningitis can present with altered mental status, fever, and gastrointestinal symptoms, making diagnosis challenging. Key features to assess include the presence of headache, photophobia, or any history of seizures, as these can raise suspicion for CNS infection. Differentiating between septic encephalopathy and meningitis is critical, as the former is more common, but any atypical symptoms warrant further investigation. Importantly, a thorough history from family or caregivers can reveal nuanced symptoms not immediately apparent in the clinical setting.