One of the most common symptoms of meningitis is fever and neck pain. Other conditions with these symptoms include a neck abscess, a rhinovirus infection, or a very rare virus known as Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever. Experts advise that fever accompanied by neck pain may be the sign of a very serious illness, especially when seen in children, and immediate medical attention should be sought.
When the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord become inflamed due to infection, this is a condition known as meningitis, and it is a very serious and life-threatening disease. Symptoms include fever, neck stiffness and pain, confusion, headache, nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light, and skin rash. In some cases, people with this disease may also experience seizures, brain damage, or death if the infection is not treated early. Fever and neck pain are most often found in pediatric cases, and many adults have no symptoms beyond fatigue and mental confusion.
Fever and neck pain can also be due to the onset of a rhinovirus, which causes the common cold. Common cold symptoms can also include sore throat, fatigue, nasal congestion, loss of appetite, cough and sneezing. More serious symptoms may also include a severe headache, ear pain, chest congestion, shortness of breath, muscle stiffness, and a fever over 101°F (38.3°C).
A neck abscess, also known as a retropharyngeal abscess, is a collection of pus in the tissue that lines the back of the throat. In general, this condition is preceded by a throat infection and occurs more commonly in children. In addition to severe pain and fever, other symptoms may include difficulty swallowing and breathing, and drooling. In cases where a child's airway becomes blocked, an abscess in the neck can be fatal. Surgery is often needed to treat this condition.
A rare but very deadly progressive viral infection known as Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever can cause fever and chills, rash, bruising, dizziness, confusion, diarrhoea, vomiting, neck pain and severe headache. Some people are known to become very aggressive when infected with the virus. Bleeding in the brain can also occur if this disease is not detected early.