What is it?
Inflammation of the membranes around the brain and spinal cord can be infectious and life-threatening; it is not ordinary muscular neck pain.
Symptoms and important signs
Fever, severe headache, neck stiffness, light sensitivity or altered alertness; symptoms vary.
How is it assessed?
Emergency hospital assessment; tests are selected by the medical team.
Care and treatment options
Urgent cause-specific treatment; suspected bacterial infection requires immediate medical management.
When to seek help
Seek emergency care immediately; do not wait for a rash or every symptom.