Does This Sound like Meningitis??

Updated on March 12, 2014
A.P. asks from Dedham, MA
15 answers

I took my 4 year old to the doctor a few hours ago because he's had a headache since yesterday, he was up all night crying and in pain. This morning he is tilting his head to the side and won't move it. I don't know if he strained his neck last night because he was trying tosleep sitting up, he said his head hurts when he lies down. Doc mentioned there is rare possibility of meningitis because of the stiff neck but she wants to give it 24 hours and see if he is moving his head tomorrow. Now when I look at his neck I noticed it is swollen behind hid left ear.... I'm thinking swollen lymph node? Or is that another sign of meningitis?

UPDATE: My husband and I debated going to the ER last night. After talking to the pediatrician on call at the hospital we decided not to go. We didn't want to traumatize him with a spinal tap if it wasn't necessary and meningitis still seemed unlikely with his symptoms. Went back to the doctor this morning and he does have a swollen lymph node which is painful to the touch and is probably why he is holding his head to the side. This doctor said if he had meningitis he wouldn't be able to move his head up and down (which he can) because the back of his neck would hurt, but he can't move his side to side because the side of his neck hurts. He's now on anitbiotics for it. Feeling so relieved!!! Thanks everyone for your input.

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

So What Happened?

Called his doctor again about the swelling. She thinks it is from straining his neck not a lymph node. He's had a slight feverof 99-100off and on since yesterday, no rashes. I talked to my neighbor, her husband and son recently had a virus with slight fever and headache. My son hasn't been in contact with them but my daughter rides the bus with her son, maybe she brought it home?
I know people here aren't doctors but I like to hear from other parents with similar issues. Ever since I heard meningitis I've had a stomach ache, i'm trying not to panic too much.. His headache does seem better, but i'll be watching him closely.

Featured Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.L.

answers from Colorado Springs on

Please don't take chances. Call the doctor. You're not asking a silly question.

http://www.life123.com/health/medical-conditions/meningit...

3 moms found this helpful

More Answers

Y.M.

answers from Iowa City on

My husband had meningitis a few years ago. His headache was so bad he couldn't function normally and he wasn't quite delirious but he was confused. No amount of ibuprofen helped. He also had a fever. I hauled him to the ER because I was pretty sure it was meningitis, told the doctor his symptoms and the doctor's face kind of went all strange and they whisked him off to do a spinal tap and brain scan before I could even get the paperwork filled in. They also examed my children (I had them with me). They looked for a rash, had them put their chin to their chest, tested their reflexes and vitals, asked if they had been irritable or had chills. The kids were fine.

I think if your child's doctor had even a tiny suspicion that this was meningitis then she would have ordered tests done asap. But if you are concerned or if he is getting worse then take him to the ER. If he cannot put his chin to his chest, if his limbs feel cold to the touch or if he develops a rash, get him to an ER.

A lump on the neck isn't generally a symptom of meningitis.

5 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.S.

answers from Seattle on

We are not doctors, and cannot diagnose. If I were you I'd get a second opinion, because meningitis is nothing to mess with. Call your doctor back and explain your child's symptoms. Insist on further testing, especially if your child has a fever. Meningitis can progress quite rapidly. Call Now.

ETA: I have had meningitis, and no, I wasn't delirious. Very sick, yes, but not delirious, because we caught it early. You don't have to be out of it to have meningitis. Don't ever tolerate a nurse laughing at you. That is never ok.

4 moms found this helpful

V.S.

answers from Reading on

ER would be my next stop

2 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.R.

answers from Washington DC on

Please update us. I hope you have already been to the ER by the time you see this. I would not wait 24 hours.

Better to be laughed at by a doctor or nurse in the ER than to wait and find out you waited too long.

Meningitis is nothing to mess with -- it can be fatal very quickly. Don't wait for replies on a forum like this; we can't diagnose your child!

FYI, and only if you have already seen the doctor and ruled out meningitis: It often comes with a rash somewhere on the body and a fever. A child does NOT necessarily have to be "delirious" to have it as someone posted she was told by a nurse! Stiff neck and severe headache are definite symptoms as you already know.

Did the doctor check him for rashes? Did she look at his body at all or did he stay dressed? Did she take his temperature? (That's usually standard on any office visit but you don't mention if his temp was taken or not--?) I would be leery of any doctor who did not take a temp AND check for a rash for any kid brought in with severe head pain and a stiff neck.

2 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.T.

answers from New York on

I would not look to the internet for a diagnosis. For something as serious as meningitis, I would not be comfortable with a 24 hour wait and see. Any possibility of meningitis merits being tested right away.

Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.H.

answers from Honolulu on

Take him to the E.R.

Also because, his symptoms... seems worse. Than a few hours ago.

I would not wait 24 hours.

There is no point in guessing or waiting.

1 mom found this helpful

L.M.

answers from Dover on

There are various forms of menigitis and some of those do not permit waiting 24 hours. For that reason alone, I would ask more questions of the doctor. Otherwise perfectly healthy people have died in less than 24 hours from symptom onset.

It could be strep...it would explain the swollen lymph nodes and if it's swollen that much it could be causing a stiff neck. I typically have a killer headache when I get strep (so does my daughter) and once I did have a huge lump that was actually very obvious.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.C.

answers from Philadelphia on

Call the doctors office back. Since his only symptoms are a headache, low grade fever and stiff neck it very well could be viral however a 3rd grade boy in the town next to mine is recovering at CHOP with meningitis.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.M.

answers from Boise on

Hi. I haven't read the other responses, but do not wait for the morning. Take him in NOW. My sister's son had meningitis and it is nothing to mess around with. Better safe than sorry. Meningitis is scary and you need to be sure. It sounds to me more than just a swollen node or stiff neck, and the neck ache & headache are classic signs. I'm not a doctor, but I am a mom and I'm concerned for him. :)

Best of luck!!
Give your little guy a hug from another mom and know that positive well-wishes are going out!

L.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.O.

answers from New York on

A swollen lymph node, all by itself, doesn't necessarily signal meningitis, but a few of the other symptoms are potentially troubling. Is he running a fever? Either way, please follow up with the doctor, if you haven't already.

1 mom found this helpful

S.A.

answers from Chicago on

A few years ago, my daughter had a fever, sore neck, and bad headache. Since it was after hours, I took her to a clinic. They thought it might be meningitis and referred us to the ER. When I got there, the ER nurse laughed at me. He said there was no way it was meninigitis, that my dd would be delirious and I'd have had to carry her in. It turned out she had an infected lymph node in her neck.

L.A.

answers from Austin on

Take him to the ER.

I have had meningitis and I could not nod my head up and down. Could not stand even a hint of light and vomited nonstop, each time it tried to take a sip of liquid. The pain is excruciating and I suffer with migraines.

Finally went to the ER, they needed to test me and were going to give me a spinal tap to test the fluid. After what felt like forever, I could barely speak to my husband to ask , if they could not do the spinal tap or this was not curable, to place a pillow over me.. I could no longer take the pain..

He began to cry and said "L., they have already given you the spinal tap, they are testing it right now." I had not felt a thing. He then found a doctor to give me an injection of pain killers.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.K.

answers from Bloomington on

Haven't read other responses, sorry if I repeat . I've had those same symptoms with strep throat.

B.C.

answers from Norfolk on

See what your doctor says.
We had something like this last week but it turned out to be something flu like.
We were over it in about 3 days - I think the flu shots helped keep it to a mild case.

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions