TeenThreads Neuro & Head Health Hub

Head Injury, Meningitis, Encephalitis & Similar Brain/Nervous System Conditions (Teens)

MedlinePlus (National Library of Medicine) – Brain & Nerves

How to Use This Hub

• Step 1: Find the condition or symptom area that matches what’s going on.
• Step 2: Read “What it can look like” and “What to do right now.”
• Step 3: If you see red flags, don’t wait — tell a parent/guardian, school nurse, or trusted adult and seek urgent care.
• Step 4: Use the trusted links to learn more from medical-library, government, and major medical centers.

Emergency Red Flags (Get Help NOW)

Conditions Jump List (Brain, Head & Nervous System)

1) Concussion / Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI)

What it is: A brain injury from a bump, blow, or jolt that affects how the brain works (even if you didn’t pass out).

• What it can look like: headache, dizziness, nausea, confusion, slow thinking, light/noise sensitivity, mood changes, sleep changes.
• What to do right now: stop sports/rough activity, tell an adult, rest, and get evaluated if symptoms are significant.
• Red flags: repeated vomiting, worsening headache, confusion, trouble walking, seizure, not waking normally.
• Key rule: “When in doubt, sit it out.” Returning too fast can make things worse.

CDC HEADS UP – Concussion & Safety
MedlinePlus – Concussion
Cleveland Clinic – Concussion

2) More Serious Head Injury (TBI)

What it is: A stronger brain injury that may cause prolonged symptoms and needs urgent evaluation.

• What it can look like: severe headache, confusion, memory loss, weakness, repeated vomiting, extreme drowsiness.
• What to do right now: seek urgent care or emergency evaluation depending on severity and symptoms.
• Red flags: any loss of consciousness, seizure, worsening symptoms, slurred speech, weakness.

MedlinePlus – Traumatic Brain Injury
Mayo Clinic – Traumatic Brain Injury

3) Skull Fracture (Possible)

What it is: A crack/break in the skull bone. It can happen with major impacts and needs medical evaluation.

• What it can look like: swelling/bruising, severe headache, bleeding from nose/ears, confusion, vomiting.
• What to do right now: get urgent medical care — do not “wait it out.”
• Red flags: altered consciousness, seizure, clear fluid from nose/ears, worsening symptoms.

MedlinePlus – Skull Fracture (overview)

4) Meningitis

What it is: Inflammation of the protective membranes around the brain and spinal cord. Some types are medical emergencies.

• What it can look like: high fever, severe headache, stiff neck, light sensitivity, confusion, vomiting, rash (sometimes).
• What to do right now: if symptoms suggest meningitis, seek urgent/emergency care immediately.
• Why it matters: bacterial meningitis can become dangerous fast; early treatment saves lives.

CDC – Meningitis
MedlinePlus – Meningitis
Mayo Clinic – Meningitis

5) Encephalitis

What it is: Inflammation of the brain, often caused by infection (like certain viruses) or immune reactions. Can be serious.

• What it can look like: fever, severe headache, confusion, personality/behavior change, seizures, weakness.
• What to do right now: urgent evaluation is needed if encephalitis is suspected.
• Red flags: confusion, seizures, trouble speaking/moving, severe drowsiness.

MedlinePlus – Encephalitis
Mayo Clinic – Encephalitis

6) Seizures (First-Time or Known)

What it is: A sudden burst of abnormal brain activity. Seizures can look different (staring spells, shaking, confusion).

• What it can look like: shaking, stiffening, staring, confusion afterward, unusual movements.
• What to do right now: keep the person safe (clear area), time the seizure, turn on side if possible, do not put anything in mouth.
• When it’s urgent: first seizure, seizure lasting several minutes, repeated seizures, injury, breathing trouble.

MedlinePlus – Seizures
CDC – Epilepsy (Seizure Info)
Cleveland Clinic – Seizures

7) Migraine

What it is: A type of headache that can be intense and may come with nausea, light sensitivity, or vision changes.

• What it can look like: throbbing headache, nausea, light/sound sensitivity, sometimes “aura” (visual changes).
• Helpful at home: hydration, quiet/dark room, sleep, regular meals; talk to a clinician about safe options if frequent.
• Red flags: “worst headache of life,” sudden headache with weakness/confusion, headache with fever/stiff neck.

MedlinePlus – Migraine
Mayo Clinic – Migraine

8) Tension Headache

What it is: Common headache often linked to stress, muscle tension, dehydration, or poor sleep.

• What it can look like: pressure/tight band feeling, mild-to-moderate pain, neck/shoulder tension.
• Helpful at home: water, food, rest, stretch, screen breaks, stress management, consistent sleep.
• Get help if: headaches are frequent, worsening, or disrupting school/life.

MedlinePlus – Headaches (overview)

9) Heat Illness (Heat Exhaustion / Heat Stroke Risk)

What it is: Overheating that can affect brain function, hydration, and safety—especially in sports.

• What it can look like: dizziness, headache, nausea, weakness, confusion, heavy sweating (or no sweating in severe cases).
• What to do: stop activity, move to shade/cool area, cool down, sip fluids; severe confusion/high temp = emergency.

CDC – Extreme Heat Safety
MedlinePlus – Heat Illness

10) Fainting (Syncope)

What it is: Temporary loss of consciousness, often from low blood pressure, dehydration, overheating, or standing too long.

• What it can look like: dizziness, blurred vision, nausea, sweating, then collapse.
• What to do: lie down, elevate legs, hydrate when awake; seek care if repeated or with chest pain/heart symptoms.
• Urgent if: fainting with injury, seizure-like activity, heart symptoms, or repeated fainting.

MedlinePlus – Fainting

11) Vertigo / Dizziness

What it is: Feeling like you’re spinning or unsteady. Can come from inner ear issues, dehydration, migraine, or other causes.

• What it can look like: spinning, nausea, unsteady walking, trouble focusing.
• Get help if: severe, sudden, with weakness, slurred speech, severe headache, or after head injury.

MedlinePlus – Dizziness & Vertigo
Mayo Clinic – Dizziness (causes)

12) Nerve Compression (“Pinched Nerve”)

What it is: Pressure on a nerve that can cause tingling, numbness, or weakness (often from posture, sports strain, or injury).

• What it can look like: numbness/tingling in arm/hand/leg, pain that travels, weakness.
• Get help if: weakness is new, symptoms are worsening, or there’s bladder/bowel control problems.

MedlinePlus – Nerve Compression (overview)

13) Bell’s Palsy (Sudden Facial Weakness)

What it is: Sudden weakness on one side of the face (often temporary). Needs evaluation to rule out more serious causes.

• What it can look like: drooping mouth/eye on one side, trouble closing eye, facial numbness feeling.
• Important: sudden face droop can also be a stroke sign — urgent medical evaluation is recommended.

MedlinePlus – Bell’s Palsy
Cleveland Clinic – Bell’s Palsy

14) Brain Tumor Warning Signs (Rare, But Important)

What it is: Brain tumors in teens are uncommon, but persistent patterns deserve medical attention.

• Possible warning patterns: headaches that worsen over time, morning vomiting, new seizures, vision changes, balance problems, personality changes.
• What to do: don’t panic — but do schedule medical evaluation if symptoms are persistent, worsening, or combined.

MedlinePlus – Brain Tumors
National Cancer Institute (.gov) – Brain Tumors

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