Are Body Pains, Sore Neck And Body Rash Suggestive Of Meningitis?

Posted on Mon, 13 Jul 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 13 Jul 2015 Answered on

Wed, 29 Jul 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : I'm worried my 11 year old girl may have meningitis. She has body aches, fever, a sore neck, and a rash that developed last week. It was on both sides of her neck, red and splitting,it has now turned white and she says it is painful. I'm worried she might have meningitis.

Answered by Dr. Archana Verma (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Its unlikely due to meningitis

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome to the HCM

I understand your concerns but don't worry. Meningitis which is associated with skin rash in teenage is usually due to meningococcal infection.

A skin rash, which is essential for recognizing meningococcemia, is the characteristic manifestation. The skin rash may advance from a few ill-defined lesions to a widespread petechial eruption within a few hours. Since you daughter's rash is non progressive to the rest of the body for over a week now, the cause seems to be other than meningococcal infection.

Also, meningitis is usually associated with irritability, headache, vomiting, Neck rigidity, seizures and disorientation.

The symptoms of your daughter are more like pharyngitis. But anything definitive can be said only after complete body examination and laboratory work up.

So I would suggest you to take her to pediatrician for proper check out.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar