Which of the following is a symptom of meningitis?

Which of the following is a symptom of meningitis?

• A. Abdominal pain
• B. Fever
• C. Skin rash
• D. Swollen lymph nodes

Answer: (B)

Fever is a well-established symptom of meningitis, which is an inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. When the inflammation occurs, it often results from an infection caused by bacteria, viruses, fungal agents, or other pathogens. This infection leads to the body's immune response, which typically includes an increase in body temperature, causing fever. Other common symptoms of meningitis may include a severe headache, neck stiffness, sensitivity to light, and altered mental status, alongside fever. Though abdominal pain, skin rash, and swollen lymph nodes can be associated with various medical conditions, they are not primary indicators of meningitis. In particular, a rash can occur in some viral infections that can lead to meningitis, such as meningococcal disease, but it's not as universally recognized as a symptom of meningitis itself. Therefore, fever stands out as a key symptom associated with the condition.

Fever is a well-established symptom of meningitis, which is an inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. When the inflammation occurs, it often results from an infection caused by bacteria, viruses, fungal agents, or other pathogens. This infection leads to the body's immune response, which typically includes an increase in body temperature, causing fever. Other common symptoms of meningitis may include a severe headache, neck stiffness, sensitivity to light, and altered mental status, alongside fever.

Though abdominal pain, skin rash, and swollen lymph nodes can be associated with various medical conditions, they are not primary indicators of meningitis. In particular, a rash can occur in some viral infections that can lead to meningitis, such as meningococcal disease, but it's not as universally recognized as a symptom of meningitis itself. Therefore, fever stands out as a key symptom associated with the condition.