What Causes Headache, Stiffness In The Neck, Fever, Tinnitus And Post Nasal Drip?

Posted on Wed, 19 Oct 2016

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

Wed, 19 Oct 2016 Answered on

Mon, 7 Nov 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : I have felt unwell for a week, symptoms of headache, stiff neck, severe neck muscle spasms, low grade fever (99-100.2F), tinnitus(like a windstorm), irritability to apathy, sleepiness, stiff neck, clouded & blurry vision, light sensitivity, loss of balance/coordination (bumping into family & furniture), body aches, runny nose, post nasal drip, hard gagging cough, & sore throat. The throbbing pain in head and neck arteries was relived slightly by Acetaminophen and caffeine, & Migraine Excedrin. I received a shot of cortisone in my ankle Thursday. I thought I caught my husbands cold and overdid the yard-work before the storm. Classes began a month ago in this University Town. Could I have meningitis?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (48 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Get evaluated medically.

Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for using HCM.

I have read your question and understand your concerns.

Meningitis is a serious condition that, if suspected, medical evaluation and treatment is necessary ASAP.

Symptoms and signs you describe correspond at least partly to conditions such as meningitis, encephalitis and viral infection may predispose to these conditions.

In my opinion, you should get evaluated ASAP by your primary care Doctor, or at your ER, even to exclude these conditions.

If these conditions are excluded, a simple viral infection could mimic milder symptoms like meningitis.

Hope you found the answer helpful.

Let me know if I can assist you further.

Greetings.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Veerisetty Shyamkumar