MamaBearTeacher Posted April 16, 2015 Share Posted April 16, 2015 Last fall my son had a stiff neck, a bit of a headache and high fever with cough that went on for a few days. We brought him to the hospital and they said it was pneumonia and a pretty bad case but it went away the next day. Now he has a headache, a bit of a stiff neck, some congestion and cough but no fever. He is sleeping a lot but otherwise himself and wanting to do everything he usually does. I am worried but just wondering if the stiff neck and headache could just be his body's usual reaction to illness? I used to get migrainy when I was sick as a child. I don't really want to go to the doctor or hospital right now. Update: The stiff neck has not gone away after 3 days. He keeps his head still when he walks. He is not really congested but his voice sounds a bit congested. He has no fever and good energy levels. Today he woke up with one eye red and slightly puffy but I don't know if it's related. I am not worried about meningitis, but worried about his neck. I am scared to try medication as we tend to react badly often. (PS: this is my 8-year old) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bettyandbob Posted April 16, 2015 Share Posted April 16, 2015 I had a stiff neck, soar throat, and headache for several days last week. I figured out it was allergies--spring finally started here and I felt horrible. I started on Claritin and alkaseltzer cold capsules and felt immensely better. I've never had that symptom to allergies before. I've found over the years I don't always have a "usual" reaction. Sometimes I have to consider is the symptom a new reaction to something I've had before. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wendyroo Posted April 16, 2015 Share Posted April 16, 2015 Personally, I wouldn't worry at this point. Right now I have congestion (which, like Diana P. mentioned is probably due to allergies) which is causing sinus pressure, headache and a stiff, achy neck. Obviously, with a stiff neck your mind jumps to meningitis, but with "a bit of a stiff neck", no fever and fairly normal disposition, I would just be keeping an eye on the kid for now and watching for worsening symptoms. Hopefully he manages to get a lot of sleep and wakes up feeling better. Wendy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted April 16, 2015 Share Posted April 16, 2015 He doesn't sound doctor/hospital worthy at this point. Worthy? Did I want to use that word? Anyway. . . I'd let him sleep and see how he feels as time goes on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trulycrabby Posted April 16, 2015 Share Posted April 16, 2015 I would just watch him for re-development of fever, photophobia, changes in mental status/consciousness, and for return of his cough/shortness of breath. I hope he continues to improve! :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tanaqui Posted April 16, 2015 Share Posted April 16, 2015 Stiff neck and stomachache are my two irrational fears, but most of the time it's nothing. Stomachaches are hardly ever appendicitis. Stiff necks usually come from sleeping funny or congestion. Without a fever, I'd just pay attention and monitor the situation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UncleEJ Posted April 16, 2015 Share Posted April 16, 2015 Two of my kids had a weird one day virus that consisted of a stiff neck, head ache, and sore throat. I think the test for meningitis is if they can't touch their chin to their chest. Maybe keep an eye on that. But I wouldn't be rushing to the Dr. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ali in OR Posted April 16, 2015 Share Posted April 16, 2015 The flu that my dd had in Feb started with a painful neck. Same thing for a friend's son a week or so later. I actually did take her to the doctor when she was running a fever the next day. He checked mobility--she could move her head all around just fine. Did a very nice tuck jump when he asked her if she could jump. He declared her to just have a virus. I concluded that "painful neck" was just part of that virus. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MamaBearTeacher Posted April 17, 2015 Author Share Posted April 17, 2015 The stiff neck is the only symptom he has now. He was not tired enough to nap today. I hope it goes away soon. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MamaBearTeacher Posted April 18, 2015 Author Share Posted April 18, 2015 I updated in my first post. The stiff neck is still there! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted April 18, 2015 Share Posted April 18, 2015 Does he react badly to Tylenol or something equivalent? I would just try that. or if you are into more natural things, try Curcumin which is the anti-inflammatory substance in Tumeric. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Governess Posted April 18, 2015 Share Posted April 18, 2015 Are the glands in the back of his neck very enlarged? Dd and I had a virus about a month ago with stiff necks because of swollen glands in that area. Ibuprofen helped the most. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momacacia Posted April 18, 2015 Share Posted April 18, 2015 I had a doctor tell me, when I was in my 20s, that my stiff neck (which essentially debilitated me in bed--I could not move at first without help!) can be a virus lodging in that part of the body. Anyway, I was "just sick" not the really serious stuff. :-/ I agree, the allergies can do weird things too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trulycrabby Posted April 18, 2015 Share Posted April 18, 2015 Since the stiff neck has not subsided, I would take him to the doctor. Has he been taking anything like tylenol, motrin, or aleve which might mask a fever? Viruses love the nervous system; has he had influenza in the last few months? You could probably wait until Monday, or better yet call his doctor's office, speak to the on-call doctor, and follow her advice. I hope he feels better very soon! :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MamaBearTeacher Posted April 18, 2015 Author Share Posted April 18, 2015 Thanks. He is not taking any medication, just vitamin C. I am wondering if it is a virus. Either that or maybe he had a chill the other day. What would the treatment be if it were a virus? Will it just go away on its own eventually? Could a chiropractor help if it's a virus? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted April 18, 2015 Share Posted April 18, 2015 Virus question: - comfort measure more than anything, including an anti-inflammatory to reduce inflammation caused by the virus. Nothing other than time will make the actual virus go away. Chiropractor - they can do stuff to pump up blood flow to the area and to stimulate the immune system but that's about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MamaBearTeacher Posted April 18, 2015 Author Share Posted April 18, 2015 Thanks again. I will try the curcumin. He woke up this morning with one eye really red, no pus. I wonder if this is related or not. he doesn't remember getting anything in his eye and the redness has not become better. I am having him lie down with a cucumber slice on his closed eye. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted April 18, 2015 Share Posted April 18, 2015 Is the eye itchy? You can get a viral form of conjuntivitis (pink eye). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zoobie Posted April 18, 2015 Share Posted April 18, 2015 Mumps? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MamaBearTeacher Posted April 18, 2015 Author Share Posted April 18, 2015 The eye is not itchy, just very noticeably red. Are these signs of mumps? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MamaBearTeacher Posted April 18, 2015 Author Share Posted April 18, 2015 Oh, the cucumber I tried did not help at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gingersmom Posted April 18, 2015 Share Posted April 18, 2015 Maybe it's time to go to urgent care. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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