One of the most common symptoms of meningitis is fever and neck pain. Other causes of neck pain that may be accompanied by a fever include a neck abscess, a rhinovirus infection or infection of a very rare virus known as Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever. Experts advise that fever and neck pain may be the sign of a very serious illness, particularly when observed in children, and immediate medical attention should be sought at the earliest recognition of these symptoms.
When the membranes that cover the brain and the spinal cord become inflamed due to infection, this is a condition known as meningitis. Fever and neck pain are among the primary symptoms of this very serious and potentially life-threatening illness. Other symptoms include neck stiffness, confusion, headache, nausea, vomiting, a visual sensitivity to light and a skin rash. In some cases, individuals suffering from this illness may also experience seizures, brain damage or death if the infection causing meningitis is not treated in time. Fever and neck pain are most often found in pediatric cases of meningitis, however, as many adults do not present symptoms beyond fatigue and mental confusion.
Fever and neck pain may also be due to the onset of a rhinovirus, which causes the common cold. Beyond neck stiffness and fever, common cold symptoms may also present as sore throat, fatigue, nasal congestion, loss of appetite, coughing and sneezing. More severe symptoms may also include a severe headache, earache, chest congestion, breathing difficulties, neck stiffness and fever over 101 degrees F (38.3 degrees C).
A neck abscess, also known as a retropharyngeal abscess, describes the buildup of pus located in the tissue lining the back of the throat. Generally, this condition is preceded by a throat infection and most commonly occurs in children. Besides fever and neck pain, other symptoms may include difficulty swallowing and breathing, intense throat pain and drooling. In cases where a child’s airway becomes obstructed, a neck abscess can be a potentially fatal condition. Often, surgery is needed to treat this condition.
A rare, but very deadly progressive infection known as Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever may also cause fever and neck pain. Other symptoms known to accompany this life-threatening viral infection include skin rash, bruises, dizziness, confusion, chills, diarrhea, vomiting and severe headache. Some people have been known to become very aggressive when infected with the Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever and bleeding in the brain may also occur if this illness is not detected in time.
