Differential Diagnosis for Neck Pain, Headache, and Fever
- Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Viral upper respiratory infection (e.g., common cold, flu): This is a common condition that often presents with neck pain, headache, and fever due to inflammation and congestion in the upper respiratory tract.
- Other Likely Diagnoses
- Sinusitis: Inflammation of the sinuses can cause pain in the neck and head, along with fever, due to the proximity of the sinuses to these areas.
- Tension headache: While not typically associated with fever, tension headaches can cause neck pain and headache, and if accompanied by a viral infection, could also present with fever.
- Meningitis: Although less common, meningitis is an infection of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord and can cause severe headache, neck stiffness (which might be perceived as neck pain), and fever.
- Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Meningitis: As mentioned, this is a critical diagnosis to consider due to its potential for severe consequences, including death or long-term neurological damage if not promptly treated.
- Subarachnoid hemorrhage: A life-threatening condition that involves bleeding into the space surrounding the brain, which can cause sudden, severe headache and neck pain, along with fever if there's associated infection or inflammation.
- Encephalitis: An inflammation of the brain tissue, usually caused by viral infections, which can present with fever, headache, and sometimes neck pain due to the inflammation affecting the brain and its surrounding structures.
- Rare Diagnoses
- Temporal arteritis: An inflammation of the blood vessels in the head, which can cause headache and neck pain, but is more common in older adults and might not always present with fever.
- Lyme disease: Caused by a tick bite, Lyme disease can lead to symptoms including fever, headache, and neck pain, especially if it progresses to neurological involvement (neuroborreliosis).
- Spinal epidural abscess: A rare but serious condition involving an abscess in the spinal canal, which can cause severe neck or back pain, fever, and neurological deficits, requiring urgent medical attention.