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What Are The Symptoms Of Meningitis?
Question: Hi,
I am writing because of a headache that I have had for the last few days. On Friday night, I had a little bit of a headache and took an aspirin and it went away. I felt another headache coming on Saturday night but it did not seem to be too big a deal so I did not take anything. On Monday morning, I had a headache again and my neck feels a little bit sore when I roll it around, almost like it does when I have a cold or the flu. I started my period on Sunday afternoon, so I attributed the headache to this, but it is now Wednesday, the third day of my period and I still feel tightness in my neck and trapezius and have a slight headache. The headache has never been more than a 2-3 on a discomfort scale of 1-10, it is more nagging than anything. It responds to aspirin, but I would rather it go away by itself. I am really starting to worry about it being an aneurysm or meningitis, especially since I just saw a story on the news about a teenage girl that died of meningitis after complaining of headaches. Does this type of neck stiffness and headache sound typical of anything serious?
I am writing because of a headache that I have had for the last few days. On Friday night, I had a little bit of a headache and took an aspirin and it went away. I felt another headache coming on Saturday night but it did not seem to be too big a deal so I did not take anything. On Monday morning, I had a headache again and my neck feels a little bit sore when I roll it around, almost like it does when I have a cold or the flu. I started my period on Sunday afternoon, so I attributed the headache to this, but it is now Wednesday, the third day of my period and I still feel tightness in my neck and trapezius and have a slight headache. The headache has never been more than a 2-3 on a discomfort scale of 1-10, it is more nagging than anything. It responds to aspirin, but I would rather it go away by itself. I am really starting to worry about it being an aneurysm or meningitis, especially since I just saw a story on the news about a teenage girl that died of meningitis after complaining of headaches. Does this type of neck stiffness and headache sound typical of anything serious?
Brief Answer:
does not sound like meningitis
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thank you for your question.
It does not sound like meningitis but if there is any question of this or if you have been exposed to anyone with meningitis then you need to go to Emergency to be checked.
Patients with meningitis usually have a very severe headache and a very stiff neck. When they try to bend their head forward it usually will not go very far at all. They also have a fever usually. If you develop fever or very stiff neck then go to Emergency right away. If you have been exposed to anyone with meningitis go to Emergency now for evaluation.
If not then try these things and if headache does not resolve then see your doctor.
Many people develop headaches from a mild dehydration. Make sure you are drinking at least 2 liters of water daily. Do not consume any alcohol or any beverage with caffeine for the next week. Take a multivitamin daily. Make sure you keep moving doing some walking every day.
If you get really well hydrated and headache persists then see your doctor as soon as possible.
Regards,
Dr. Robinson
does not sound like meningitis
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thank you for your question.
It does not sound like meningitis but if there is any question of this or if you have been exposed to anyone with meningitis then you need to go to Emergency to be checked.
Patients with meningitis usually have a very severe headache and a very stiff neck. When they try to bend their head forward it usually will not go very far at all. They also have a fever usually. If you develop fever or very stiff neck then go to Emergency right away. If you have been exposed to anyone with meningitis go to Emergency now for evaluation.
If not then try these things and if headache does not resolve then see your doctor.
Many people develop headaches from a mild dehydration. Make sure you are drinking at least 2 liters of water daily. Do not consume any alcohol or any beverage with caffeine for the next week. Take a multivitamin daily. Make sure you keep moving doing some walking every day.
If you get really well hydrated and headache persists then see your doctor as soon as possible.
Regards,
Dr. Robinson
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
Thank you for your response. I will make sure to hydrate myself.
Could an anerysm produce a very minor headache?
Could an anerysm produce a very minor headache?
Brief Answer:
Not usually
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for your follow up.
Aneurysms usually produce a severe and persistent headache. If that type of headache develops make sure you go to Emergency.
I hope you are feeling better and headache free very soon.
Dr Robinson
Not usually
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for your follow up.
Aneurysms usually produce a severe and persistent headache. If that type of headache develops make sure you go to Emergency.
I hope you are feeling better and headache free very soon.
Dr Robinson
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Pradeep Vitta
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