A headache and a stiff neck may indicate a serious condition, especially when accompanied by fever. The individual may simply have a routine headache and the flu, as well as arthritis in the neck. But the person could also have Lyme disease, meningitis or encephalitis. Rather than assuming that waiting is best and the individual will be just fine, individuals with symptoms of fever, severe headache and stiff neck should receive medical attention as soon as possible.
Lyme Disease
According to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, or NIAID, Lyme disease is the most common infectious disease transmitted by ticks in the United States. The culprit is a black-legged tick known as Ixodes scapularis and the bacterium that is transmitted is Borrelia burgdorferi. The most common symptom is a rash that spreads, but the rash is not present in about 25 percent of victims, reports the NIAID. There were about 29,000 confirmed cases of Lyme disease in 2008 in the United States. Lyme disease has many symptoms, according to Elizabeth L. Mahoney, M.D., in her article for the Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons in 2009. Maloney says 48 percent of patients experience headache, which may be mild to severe. Another symptom is a stiff or painful neck. The individual may also have night sweats, fatigue, fever, memory loss, sore throat, unexplained weight loss or gain, and other disparate symptoms. As a result, diagnosis can be difficult and delayed.
Meningitis
Severe headache and stiff neck are hallmark features of meningitis, which is an inflammation of the brain. The National Meningitis Association in Atlanta states that about 1,500 people develop meningitis each year. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke in its fact sheet, meningitis is generally caused by a viral or bacterial infection but may also be triggered by a fungal infection as well as a reaction to medication. In addition, some diseases such as lupus and some forms of cancer can trigger meningitis, as can a severe injury to the spine or head. However, the most commonly known form of meningitis is caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, a bacteria that causes pneumonia as well as infections of the ears and sinuses. Individuals most at risk from this bacterium are children younger than 2 years and anyone with a weak immune system. In a study of 506 children with meningitis, reported by Greek physician Athanasios G. Michos and colleagues, 94 percent had headache and 60 percent had neck stiffness. The researchers also found that about half the cases were caused by enteroviruses.
Encephalitis
Encephalitis is an inflammation of both the brain and the spinal cord, according to NINDS, that causes a headache and a stiff neck and back as well as vomiting, photophobia—sensitivity to light—and irritability. If the individual has seizures, fainting or muscle weakness, immediate medical attention is needed according to NINDS. Encephalitis is usually a virus and may be transmitted through any type of blood-sucking insect. It may also be transmitted through a virus such as herpes simplex. Rarely, encephalitis is a complication of shingles or Lyme disease.
References
- Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons; The Need for Clinical Judgment in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Lyme Disease; Elizabeth Maloney, M.D.; 2009
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke: Headache
- Plosone.org: Aseptic Meningitis in Children: Analysis of 506 Cases
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke: NINDS Meningitis and Encephalitis Information Page
- National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases: Lyme Disease
