Which symptom is NOT associated with meningitis?

Meningitis, an inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord, typically presents with several hallmark symptoms. Fever is commonly observed due to the body’s inflammatory response. Nausea can also occur as a result of increased intracranial pressure or irritation of the meninges. Severe headaches are frequently reported, stemming from the meningeal irritation and increased pressure within the skull. Nuchal rigidity, or stiffness of the neck, is a classic sign of meningitis, indicating irritation of the meninges.

While nausea might seem like a symptom that could be present in many conditions, it is not as strongly associated with meningitis as the other symptoms are. Many patients with meningitis experience nausea, but it is not a defining feature, whereas the other symptoms—fever, headaches, and nuchal rigidity—are much more specific to this condition. This distinction highlights why nausea is less consistently noted in the diagnosis of meningitis compared to the other symptoms.