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What Causes Neck Pain, Headache, Vertigo And Nausea?
Question: Hello-
My son-in-law (21) has not been feeling well since Monday. He initially thought it was just a flu bug, but now several days in I am wondering if it is something worse. He is pasty with dark circles under his eyes, has a crashing headache, his neck hurts and it hurts to roll his eyes around in his head. He has been staying in bed, but when he does get up he is dizzy and stays dizzy until back in bed. Once there, though, he is no longer dizzy.
He is warm to the touch, although they don't have a thermometer, so we are unsure of his temp. He has been sweating, but doesn't have the chills. There's no congestion or cough. He says his body doesn't ache particularly, but he does feel lethargic. Mentally, he is his usually witty self and doesn't seem out of it; more like he simply isn't feeling well.
There has been some nausea, but no vomiting and his stools have been regular and normal. His appetite is not much, he has been subsiding on a nibble here and there, and homemade bone broth.
I'm wondering if he has meningitis or perhaps an inner ear infection?
Thank you for your help!
My son-in-law (21) has not been feeling well since Monday. He initially thought it was just a flu bug, but now several days in I am wondering if it is something worse. He is pasty with dark circles under his eyes, has a crashing headache, his neck hurts and it hurts to roll his eyes around in his head. He has been staying in bed, but when he does get up he is dizzy and stays dizzy until back in bed. Once there, though, he is no longer dizzy.
He is warm to the touch, although they don't have a thermometer, so we are unsure of his temp. He has been sweating, but doesn't have the chills. There's no congestion or cough. He says his body doesn't ache particularly, but he does feel lethargic. Mentally, he is his usually witty self and doesn't seem out of it; more like he simply isn't feeling well.
There has been some nausea, but no vomiting and his stools have been regular and normal. His appetite is not much, he has been subsiding on a nibble here and there, and homemade bone broth.
I'm wondering if he has meningitis or perhaps an inner ear infection?
Thank you for your help!
Brief Answer:
Needs to go to the ER
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,
Thanks for providing a detailed history.
I am concerned that the headache is severe and that he has neck pain (and possible fever). I think it is very important that he go in to be seen by a doctor (and NOT a nurse practitioner or physicians assistant).
This may be an infection and there is the possibility it is meningitis.
An inner ear infection can cause vertigo, but it would not cause neck pain nor head pain with rolling his eyes. A severe infection of any type can cause orthostatic dizziness (dizziness when standing up and not when lying down).
There are viruses other than meningitis that can cause most of these symptoms, but not usually the neck pain.
As it is a Saturday, I recommend he go in to the ER. There they can do a neurological exam, get a CBC (which can help to indicate if this is an infection, and can sometimes point to whether it is viral vs bacterial), and may need a lumbar puncture (spinal tap) and an MRI or CT of the head.
Please take him in promptly. And please, if possible, let me know how he is doing after evaluation.
Needs to go to the ER
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,
Thanks for providing a detailed history.
I am concerned that the headache is severe and that he has neck pain (and possible fever). I think it is very important that he go in to be seen by a doctor (and NOT a nurse practitioner or physicians assistant).
This may be an infection and there is the possibility it is meningitis.
An inner ear infection can cause vertigo, but it would not cause neck pain nor head pain with rolling his eyes. A severe infection of any type can cause orthostatic dizziness (dizziness when standing up and not when lying down).
There are viruses other than meningitis that can cause most of these symptoms, but not usually the neck pain.
As it is a Saturday, I recommend he go in to the ER. There they can do a neurological exam, get a CBC (which can help to indicate if this is an infection, and can sometimes point to whether it is viral vs bacterial), and may need a lumbar puncture (spinal tap) and an MRI or CT of the head.
Please take him in promptly. And please, if possible, let me know how he is doing after evaluation.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you so much for your quick reply. Two questions:
1) My husband wonders if it is a sinus infection because (the 2 men work together) he says he heard the son-in-law sniffling during the week while they worked. I also see my SIL several times a day and I've never noticed him sniffling or blowing his nose, but I thought I'd throw it out there....
2) If we go to the ER, should we tell the nurse we check in with that we suspect meningitis? What magic words should we use to be seen in some sort of prompt manner? Nothing worse than being on the bottom of the ER waiting list because they don't think you're critical enough!
Thank you!
1) My husband wonders if it is a sinus infection because (the 2 men work together) he says he heard the son-in-law sniffling during the week while they worked. I also see my SIL several times a day and I've never noticed him sniffling or blowing his nose, but I thought I'd throw it out there....
2) If we go to the ER, should we tell the nurse we check in with that we suspect meningitis? What magic words should we use to be seen in some sort of prompt manner? Nothing worse than being on the bottom of the ER waiting list because they don't think you're critical enough!
Thank you!
Brief Answer:
Information
Detailed Answer:
A sinus infection can cause the lethargy and a headache, but not a painful neck.
I would tell the triage person at the ER what you wrote here: "Crashing headaches, and painful neck" and possible fever.
A stiff neck with headache and fever should get him in quickly enough!
Information
Detailed Answer:
A sinus infection can cause the lethargy and a headache, but not a painful neck.
I would tell the triage person at the ER what you wrote here: "Crashing headaches, and painful neck" and possible fever.
A stiff neck with headache and fever should get him in quickly enough!
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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