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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Fever, Neck Pain, Swollen Lymph Nodes. Muscular Pain Or Meningitis Symptoms?

My son has a 96.7F fever now. since Saturday he had a fever till 101.9F, and today it went down. He is complaining of neck pain , especially in the sides of the neck, which are a little swollen. I spoke with his doctor an hour ago and she asked to see him tomorrow to check and decide if is muscle pain or meningitis . I am reading that meningitis has low fever symptom, and I am a little scared. Am I worried more than I should?
Mon, 21 Jan 2013
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hello,

Thank you for posting on HCM
From your description, I do not feel your son is suffering from meningitis as it is a severe diseases especially when caused by bacteria or fungi ( but maybe mild when viral) that usually present with neck stiffness + pain, infectious syndrome ( such as fever up to 104, increased respiratory, increased heart rate, fatigue, vomiting), seizures and the doctor on examining will also reveal signs of meningeal irritation ( brudzinski neck sign, kernig). Those are the most common signs and symptoms of meningitis. So, I do not think your son is having meningitis, but non the less your child is presenting with an infection probably lymphadenitis or inflammation of the lymph nodes ( probably of viral origin with low grade fever). Analgesics pain killers (such as paracetamol)or antiinflammatory such as ibuprofen can be administered at home to manage the fever and the pain before you can meet your doctor. Also possible that the present infection can complicate to meningitis later ( but right now, I do not think your child has typical signs of meningitis).

Hope this helps and wish your son the best

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Fever, Neck Pain, Swollen Lymph Nodes. Muscular Pain Or Meningitis Symptoms?

Hello, Thank you for posting on HCM From your description, I do not feel your son is suffering from meningitis as it is a severe diseases especially when caused by bacteria or fungi ( but maybe mild when viral) that usually present with neck stiffness + pain, infectious syndrome ( such as fever up to 104, increased respiratory, increased heart rate, fatigue, vomiting), seizures and the doctor on examining will also reveal signs of meningeal irritation ( brudzinski neck sign, kernig). Those are the most common signs and symptoms of meningitis. So, I do not think your son is having meningitis, but non the less your child is presenting with an infection probably lymphadenitis or inflammation of the lymph nodes ( probably of viral origin with low grade fever). Analgesics pain killers (such as paracetamol)or antiinflammatory such as ibuprofen can be administered at home to manage the fever and the pain before you can meet your doctor. Also possible that the present infection can complicate to meningitis later ( but right now, I do not think your child has typical signs of meningitis). Hope this helps and wish your son the best