_🔹CLINICAL FEATURES_ _🔹HEADACHE AND FEVER_ ▪️ The inflammation in the membranes (meninges) surrounding the brain and spinal cord leads to a headache. ▪️The invasion of microorganisms into these membranes also causes a fever. _🔹IRRITABILITY AND CONFUSION_ ▪️The irritation of the meninges can make the person feel agitated and confused. _🔹BRAIN SWELLING_ ▪️Swelling of the brain tissue can affect the blood flow, leading to symptoms like paralysis, similar to a stroke. ▪️Some patients may also develop seizures. _🔹PHOTOPHOBIA_ ▪️Damage to the optic nerve or the thalamus (part of the brain) can make the person sensitive to light. _🔹JOINT ACHES(Athralgia)_ ▪️Inflammation in the body can cause joint aches and pains. _🔹NUCHAL RIGIDITY_ ▪️The neck muscles stiffen to avoid painful movements of the meninges within the cervical spine due to inflammation, making it difficult to flex the neck forward. _🔹POSITIVE KERNING'S SIGN_ ▪️Stretching the meninges by extending one leg while the other is bent at 90 degrees causes severe pain. _🔹POSITIVE BRUDZINSKI’S SIGN_ ▪️Flexing the head upwards causes the patient to reflexively flex their hips, knees, and ankles, indicating meningeal irritation. _🔹NAUSEA ,VOMITING , AND DISORIENTATION_ ▪️These are caused by the irritation of the meninges and potential damage to the cerebral cortex (the outer layer of the brain). ▫️Swelling of the brain or buildup of fluid around it can increase the pressure inside the skull, leading to decreased consciousness, lethargy, and eventually coma. ▪️In children under 2 years old, the signs of increased ICP can include a bulging fontanelle (soft spot on the head), irritability, and an enlarged skull due to the disturbance in fluid flow around the brain.