Headache
Headache that lingers and won’t go away, along with fever and neck stiffness is the hallmark of meningitis. This is secondary to the swelling and inflammation of the meninges that surround the spine and neck. Newborns and kids under 2 years of age don’t typically get a headache while children, teenagers, and adults are likely to experience this symptom from meningitis. The headache is often severe in intensity and you may also experience flu-like symptoms.
Not all headaches are the same and the type of headache a patient is experiencing is also important. In the case of meningitis, the headache you feel would be different (generalized, all over the head) than the headaches you have experienced due to other health conditions.