What does headache feel like with meningitis?

The pain may feel intense, deep or pressure-like rather than like a brief, familiar tension headache. It can worsen with movement, bright light or loud sound. Meningitis may also cause fever, vomiting, unusual sleepiness, confusion, a stiff neck, or a rash. Symptoms can appear together or develop over time; the headache pattern alone cannot identify the cause.

A new severe headache with fever, neck stiffness, confusion, repeated vomiting or a rash needs urgent medical assessment. Do not drive yourself if you feel confused, faint or very unwell. While arranging help, rest somewhere quiet, avoid alcohol, and tell the clinician when the pain began and which symptoms appeared first.

Call emergency services immediately for severe headache with confusion, difficulty waking, a seizure, weakness, trouble speaking, breathing problems or a rapidly spreading rash. Urgent assessment is also needed for a sudden unusually severe headache, especially with fever or a stiff neck. Meningitis can worsen quickly, so do not wait for every symptom to appear.

Ask whether your symptoms need emergency testing, what warning signs should prompt a return, and whether close contacts need specific advice. Share recent infections, travel, medicines, immune conditions and any measured temperature.