Light Sensitivity
Light sensitivity or photophobia is a classic symptom of meningitis. It’s one of the earliest warning signs of meningitis. Sufferers will often turn away or react irritably when exposed to light.
According to this 2011 study [9], 88% of young people who suffer from bacterial meningitis reported experience photophobia on exposure to light. Viral meningitis doesn’t cause as much light sensitivity in many people but the prevalence is also high.
Meningitis affects the membranes of the brain and spinal cord. The reason the infection induces sensitivity to light may be linked to this, as it can tamper with normal neurological processes. Headache [10] caused by meningitis has also been found to worsen this sensitivity to light.