Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Causes Headache, Fever, Fatigue, Cough, Hot Flashes, Chills, Stiffness And Soreness In The Neck?
Brief Answer:
Meningitis should be excluded. Immediate medical evaluation is needed.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,
Fever, headache and stiff neck are the classic signs of meningitis. It is inflammation of protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord. Bacterial, viral or fungal infections may cause meningitis.
Initially, it may start like a common cold or influenza, but the development of fever, headache and stiff neck prompts immediate medical evaluation for meningitis. You may need imaging studies, blood tests and/or spinal tap to confirm the diagnosis. Treatment depends on a causative infection, you may need antibiotics if bacterial meningitis is confirmed.
I highly recommend you to seek immediate medical attention.
I hope the above information is helpful. Please, feel free to ask me if there is anything else you need to know.
Thank you
Meningitis should be excluded. Immediate medical evaluation is needed.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,
Fever, headache and stiff neck are the classic signs of meningitis. It is inflammation of protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord. Bacterial, viral or fungal infections may cause meningitis.
Initially, it may start like a common cold or influenza, but the development of fever, headache and stiff neck prompts immediate medical evaluation for meningitis. You may need imaging studies, blood tests and/or spinal tap to confirm the diagnosis. Treatment depends on a causative infection, you may need antibiotics if bacterial meningitis is confirmed.
I highly recommend you to seek immediate medical attention.
I hope the above information is helpful. Please, feel free to ask me if there is anything else you need to know.
Thank you
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Went to Urgent Care last evening where my temp was not so high, headache and stiff neck were still there. They gave me 2-3 days of 10mg. Prednisone.....(I am 110 pounds)
As well as tylenol alternating with ibuprofen every 4-6 hours for fever and pain.
But, both were gone almost within hours....so I have not taken more of those.
I am feeling better, but tired.
The diagnose was: acute upper respiratory infection, unspecified.
Do you still think it can be possibly Meningitis?
As well as tylenol alternating with ibuprofen every 4-6 hours for fever and pain.
But, both were gone almost within hours....so I have not taken more of those.
I am feeling better, but tired.
The diagnose was: acute upper respiratory infection, unspecified.
Do you still think it can be possibly Meningitis?
Brief Answer:
Meningitis is unlikely
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for the follow up.
I am happy to hear that ER doctors excluded meningitis and you are recovering well.
Acute upper respiratory infections may also rarely cause neck stiffness along with fever and headache but meningitis should always be excluded.
Please, do not worry, meningitis is unlikely as the ER doctors already have excluded it and your recovery was quite fast.
Tiredness after upper respiratory infections may take 1-2 weeks until you are completely recovered. Please take plenty fluids and adequate rest.
Best wishes as you recover.
Meningitis is unlikely
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for the follow up.
I am happy to hear that ER doctors excluded meningitis and you are recovering well.
Acute upper respiratory infections may also rarely cause neck stiffness along with fever and headache but meningitis should always be excluded.
Please, do not worry, meningitis is unlikely as the ER doctors already have excluded it and your recovery was quite fast.
Tiredness after upper respiratory infections may take 1-2 weeks until you are completely recovered. Please take plenty fluids and adequate rest.
Best wishes as you recover.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Remy Koshy
IS there any other medication for me besides Prednisone? RX was for 3 days and after 2 am not happy taking it.
I feel it disturbs my digestion which is normally already delicate.
Temp is normal, only feel tired and now a pain in the middle of my back which seems to happen to me when digestion is off balance.
Still have a feeling in my lungs. IS this part of the 2 weeks you mentioned to slowly recover?
HOW does one get this? Simply a compromised immune system?
I feel it disturbs my digestion which is normally already delicate.
Temp is normal, only feel tired and now a pain in the middle of my back which seems to happen to me when digestion is off balance.
Still have a feeling in my lungs. IS this part of the 2 weeks you mentioned to slowly recover?
HOW does one get this? Simply a compromised immune system?
Brief Answer:
Immune system has a role for the clearance of virus....
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for the questions. Hope you feel a little better every day.
Unfortunately, alternatives for prednisone - other corticosteroids have the similar side effects. To decrease gastrointestinal side effects you may take it right after meal or take proton pump inhibitors (Pantoprazole or Omeprazole) while you are taking prednisone.
Upper respiratory infections mostly caused by self limited viral infections and do not require specific treatment. Treatment only directed to relieve the symptoms. Of course immune system plays a role to defend the body and the clearance of the virus.
What feeling do you have in lungs? Is that shortness of breath? Upper respiratory infections may cause shortness of breath. As I explained earlier weakness and tiredness usually continues 1-2 weeks but relief from shortness of breath you may get faster than that. But exact duration of the disease depends on a specific virus and your immune system.
Hope, this information is helpful for you.
Sincerely.
Immune system has a role for the clearance of virus....
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for the questions. Hope you feel a little better every day.
Unfortunately, alternatives for prednisone - other corticosteroids have the similar side effects. To decrease gastrointestinal side effects you may take it right after meal or take proton pump inhibitors (Pantoprazole or Omeprazole) while you are taking prednisone.
Upper respiratory infections mostly caused by self limited viral infections and do not require specific treatment. Treatment only directed to relieve the symptoms. Of course immune system plays a role to defend the body and the clearance of the virus.
What feeling do you have in lungs? Is that shortness of breath? Upper respiratory infections may cause shortness of breath. As I explained earlier weakness and tiredness usually continues 1-2 weeks but relief from shortness of breath you may get faster than that. But exact duration of the disease depends on a specific virus and your immune system.
Hope, this information is helpful for you.
Sincerely.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Kampana
Thank you for your answers.
yesterday I was feeling better, but unfortunately had a lot of pollen with outside work raking and the person mowing my lawn had a lot of fumes and noise.
NO shortness of breath but feeling of something hurting, sore in my chest.
Woke up today with pain and heavy coughing up clear but viscous fluids for hours.
temp was back up to 100 but then went back to 99. Slept and felt very weak all day with slight headache again. Took the tylenol and ibuprofen as recommended every 4-6 hours.....600mg.
The prednisone I took for 2 days 10 mg. and stopped because it was shredding my stomach. ....loose stools and nausea with digestion. My understanding from you is that this is only to relieve the symptoms but the virus will pass according to my immune strength and rest levels.
Thank you again.
yesterday I was feeling better, but unfortunately had a lot of pollen with outside work raking and the person mowing my lawn had a lot of fumes and noise.
NO shortness of breath but feeling of something hurting, sore in my chest.
Woke up today with pain and heavy coughing up clear but viscous fluids for hours.
temp was back up to 100 but then went back to 99. Slept and felt very weak all day with slight headache again. Took the tylenol and ibuprofen as recommended every 4-6 hours.....600mg.
The prednisone I took for 2 days 10 mg. and stopped because it was shredding my stomach. ....loose stools and nausea with digestion. My understanding from you is that this is only to relieve the symptoms but the virus will pass according to my immune strength and rest levels.
Thank you again.
Brief Answer:
Please stay hydrated and continue the treatment
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
You are welcome. I am very happy to hear that you are recovering well.
Yes, that’s right. Upper respiratory infections are mostly caused by viruses. It is the job of the immune system to clear the virus. Ibuprofen and Tylenol only temporarily relief the symptoms, but the virus will take its course.
The loose stools are probably side effect of prednisone. Stool consistency should come to normal soon as you already stopped prednisone. Please drink adequate fluids to avoid dehydration. Staying hydrated also helps to clear the toxins from your body and may alleviate cough by thinning the mucus. You may also use humidifier, which soothes your cough and eases breathing.
Hope you’re feeling better very soon.
Wishing you good health.
Thank you.
Please stay hydrated and continue the treatment
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
You are welcome. I am very happy to hear that you are recovering well.
Yes, that’s right. Upper respiratory infections are mostly caused by viruses. It is the job of the immune system to clear the virus. Ibuprofen and Tylenol only temporarily relief the symptoms, but the virus will take its course.
The loose stools are probably side effect of prednisone. Stool consistency should come to normal soon as you already stopped prednisone. Please drink adequate fluids to avoid dehydration. Staying hydrated also helps to clear the toxins from your body and may alleviate cough by thinning the mucus. You may also use humidifier, which soothes your cough and eases breathing.
Hope you’re feeling better very soon.
Wishing you good health.
Thank you.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Feeling hot and chest hurts from coughing. I already answered this, but don't know if it went through to you. sometimes this opens and sometimes not, and sometimes no sign that it was properly sent to you.
still have a slight fever and strong cough.....sometimes a lot of coughing, choking all at once.
is this croup or whooping cough? headache is only small and no stiff neck.
if someone came into my house who was exposed to croup by children it is possible I was re-infected? Feel worse after she was here to use the toilet 3 days ago. Don' think she is clean and was in a hurry.....nasty person who works outside on the lawn.
still have a slight fever and strong cough.....sometimes a lot of coughing, choking all at once.
is this croup or whooping cough? headache is only small and no stiff neck.
if someone came into my house who was exposed to croup by children it is possible I was re-infected? Feel worse after she was here to use the toilet 3 days ago. Don' think she is clean and was in a hurry.....nasty person who works outside on the lawn.
Brief Answer:
Possible secondary bacterial infections.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for the follow-up.
Upper respiratory infections usually worsen in the 3rd to 5th days of the disease then the symptoms subside gradually as you recover. Yes, you have informed me about a feeling in your chest. Chest discomfort in upper respiratory infections usually comes from coughing… but your severe cough, chest pain, constant headache and fever over 5 days may indicate secondary bacterial infections.
Whooping cough is also possible... which initially presents like common cold and eventually severe coughing episodes and wheezing develops. Patients feel exhausted or vomit after the episode.
Catching croup virus from a person who came in your house is less likely if she did not have coughing or sneezing.
Please, contact your doctor. You should be evaluated for secondary bacterial infections.
Wishing you good health.
Possible secondary bacterial infections.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for the follow-up.
Upper respiratory infections usually worsen in the 3rd to 5th days of the disease then the symptoms subside gradually as you recover. Yes, you have informed me about a feeling in your chest. Chest discomfort in upper respiratory infections usually comes from coughing… but your severe cough, chest pain, constant headache and fever over 5 days may indicate secondary bacterial infections.
Whooping cough is also possible... which initially presents like common cold and eventually severe coughing episodes and wheezing develops. Patients feel exhausted or vomit after the episode.
Catching croup virus from a person who came in your house is less likely if she did not have coughing or sneezing.
Please, contact your doctor. You should be evaluated for secondary bacterial infections.
Wishing you good health.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng
Felt awful all weekend, sleeping a lot. temp is running only to 99.4 or so.
Headache is better but still a small one and also stiff neck is back, but not as bad as in the beginning.
Lungs are definitely sore from coughing, but cough is better now, with almost nothing produced. Sneezing too, 3 times together. Left shoulder and arm muscles are aching, also wrist. The shoulder joint has been hurting for a long time inside the joint where it continues to hurt.
When I think I feel better, then the energy is gone quickly away. I have no doctor, only the Urgent Care service....
Heartburn continues and digestive discomfort too, as it was for many years. Dealing with Gaviscon and Pepcid complete tablets.
Headache is better but still a small one and also stiff neck is back, but not as bad as in the beginning.
Lungs are definitely sore from coughing, but cough is better now, with almost nothing produced. Sneezing too, 3 times together. Left shoulder and arm muscles are aching, also wrist. The shoulder joint has been hurting for a long time inside the joint where it continues to hurt.
When I think I feel better, then the energy is gone quickly away. I have no doctor, only the Urgent Care service....
Heartburn continues and digestive discomfort too, as it was for many years. Dealing with Gaviscon and Pepcid complete tablets.
Brief Answer:
Continue treatment..
Detailed Answer:
It is good to hear that your condition started to improve day by day.
Hopefully peak stage of the disease is over and you are now in the remission and the recovery will come soon.
Ibuprofen is a good medicine for common cold and joint pain but it may worsen underlying stomach indigestion.
Gaviscone should help to protect your stomach. To avoid side effects of ibufophen take it right after a meal with full glass of water.
Healthy diet and multivitamin supplements help faster recovery and get your energy back.
How is neck your stiffness? Can you touch your chin to your chest?
Hope you’re feeling better very soon.
Wishing you health.
Thank you.
Continue treatment..
Detailed Answer:
It is good to hear that your condition started to improve day by day.
Hopefully peak stage of the disease is over and you are now in the remission and the recovery will come soon.
Ibuprofen is a good medicine for common cold and joint pain but it may worsen underlying stomach indigestion.
Gaviscone should help to protect your stomach. To avoid side effects of ibufophen take it right after a meal with full glass of water.
Healthy diet and multivitamin supplements help faster recovery and get your energy back.
How is neck your stiffness? Can you touch your chin to your chest?
Hope you’re feeling better very soon.
Wishing you health.
Thank you.
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
