Meningitis is easily confused for the flu when symptoms begin, especially in adults and children over the age of two. Children under the age of two are often difficult to diagnose because they cannot verbalize their pain and symptoms. For those that are able to verbalize and identify the source of their pain, meningitis is easily detected once the flu is ruled out. The symptoms, though very similar to the flu, include several the flu sufferers would not necessarily have.One of the first symptoms of meningitis is a high fever combined with a severe headache. Additionally, anyone suffering from meningitis might have a very stiff neck with difficulty moving. Meningitis sufferers also have nausea and vomiting to accompany their fever and headache. Those that are suffering from meningitis may become confused and a have a very difficult time concentrating on anything around them. This is also present in very young children and it may appear that they are having a difficult time maintaining eye contact with anyone.Like other illnesses, those that suffer from meningitis will have a difficult time sleeping and may wake up often or find that they are unable to sleep at all. In addition, those with meningitis may experience seizures and extreme sensitivity to light; they may also find that they have rashes that appear on their bodies and faces. Finally, a person with meningitis will find that they have no appetite for food or beverages and will not have the desire or ability to eat or drink anything.Because of the nausea and vomiting, the fever, sleep issues and the lack of appetite for food and/or beverages, those with meningitis may confuse their symptoms with the flu. Meningitis is much more serious than the flu and should be treated immediately. Anyone that notices the symptoms of the flu in addition to the presence of any other symptom listed here should contact their doctor immediately to have themselves checked for meningitis; this is a decision that could save an adult or child's life. Meningitis in children is far worse than it is for adults and needs to be treated with urgency to avoid lifelong problems.