Stiff neck and fever are common symptoms of meningitis and encephalitis, but can also be caused by other conditions such as mononucleosis, tetanus, and subarachnoid hemorrhage. Arthritic disorders and minor viral infections can also cause these symptoms. It is important to seek medical attention as these symptoms can be indicative of serious illnesses.
The most important diseases to mention that can cause stiff neck and fever are meningitis and encephalitis because they are very dangerous. Other conditions that could cause the two symptoms are mononucleosis, tetanus, and subarachnoid hemorrhage. Certain arthritic disorders such as ankylosing spondylitis, Felty’s syndrome, and osteoarthritis are sometimes associated with a stiff neck and fever. Alternatively, the two symptoms may not be related to each other or may not be indicative of a serious illness.
The reason stiff neck and fever are considered to be of concern is mainly because they are the most recognizable symptoms of meningitis and encephalitis. Especially in meningitis, the neck is often suddenly very stiff and people are unable to touch their chin to the chest. The fever is also likely to be high. In encephalitis, the neck can still move more easily, but the stiffness is often painful. Both conditions also usually present with a significant headache.
Mononucleosis torticollis is described differently. It is usually due to extremely swollen glands and most patients also have a severe sore throat. Fever can range from mild to severe, depending on the individual, and this disease is usually not life-threatening. Tetanus, on the other hand, can be more serious, although it is rare. It can cause jaw, neck, chest and stomach spasms. People with regular tetanus shots are unlikely to get this disease.
A subarachnoid hemorrhage differs from tetanus or mono in that it is not caused by viral or bacterial infections. Instead, it’s typically caused by aneurysms — abnormally widened arteries in the brain — bursting, resulting in bleeding. Alternatively, head injuries can cause bleeding in the brain. When this bleeding begins, people may feel a stiff neck and fever, and this condition is also associated with headaches.
In arthritic conditions, deterioration of the joints can cause progressive neck stiffness. Arthritis of autoimmune origin can also raise the temperature. In these diseases, the symptoms of stiff neck and fever might both be mild, but the arthritis in the neck might get worse over time. Autoimmune disorders of many other types might feature neck pain and mystery fevers. When people have compromised immune systems, they’re also more vulnerable to encephalitis and meningitis, so these symptoms should always be taken seriously.
It is also possible for minor viral infections to cause a slight stiffness in the neck, accompanied by other pain and a small fever. Alternatively, the two conditions must not be related. Those with a cold may sleep on too many pillows and wake up with a stiff neck and fever. However, these symptoms should never be ignored given their potential severity, and performing the chin-to-chest move is a good home test to determine if meningitis is a problem. However, this self-examination cannot rule out encephalitis or other serious causative factors for these symptoms, so a medical examination is still recommended.
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