am i just being paranoid??

ok let me start off by saying im from houston, texas which, at the moment, is going through a meningitis outbreak but im sure u know that. well i happen to be a mild hypocondriac (thats probably not spelt right but i'm talking about those people who always think they are sick) little things like cold and what not dont really bother me but when something that can be fatal is going around i tend to get a little paranoid. i have a stiff neck and some slight nausea and every now and then ill get a slight headache that will last for about 5 minutes but nothing really painful as i was told it would be . i dont have a fever i dont really feel sick at all besides the nausea and i havent vomitted or noticed a rash. there also hasnt been any cases of meninigitis reported in my area that i know of but i tend to go to a lot of clubs where there are people from all over the houston area. im pretty sure the stiff neck is from lack of sleep from worrying so much and the nausea is just a passing thing so i was wondering if i should just sleep on it and see how i feel when i wake up or should i go get checked out by a doctor?

[CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS]

Dear Brandi:

As a former UT graduate, I do know the Houston area.  The type of meningitis in the Houston area, if you had it you would likely be very sick.  But, one can never tell, I would just make an appointment with you physician and get checked out.  This way you'll know for sure and you can rest at ease.  

Sincerely,

CCF Neuro MD

[Betty Powell]

Brandi,
  I can relate to what you are feeling. I have the same problems sometime when I hear about illness going around town. We had an outbreak of Legionarres here and it caused a great panic among those who are mild to severe Hypochondriacs. I am not a hypocondriac by a far stretch and I dont believe you are either, but there are those of u who tend to worry more about possible illness thats out there.
Your symptoms from what I remember from being a Med Tech and having seen this disease are not typical and are much more severe. Most people have very high fever and a very severe rash and stiff neck to the point that you cannot raise your chin to your chest and when lying flat and raising the legs the body arches and there is noticiable stiffness and pain. And the headache and vomiting is usually quite severe.
If you are really concerned you can go to the local ER or your doctor and they can give you a once over and see if there are any symptoms that would alert them to possible menigitis (meningitis).
Take Care and Good Luck and try not to worry about it...Betty

[Karen]

Hi,

I know how you feel as I tend to get symptoms if everyone is talking about them.  I had meningitis about a year and a half ago and if it makes you feel any better it was the most painful thing I have ever experienced.   There was nothing mild about it.  Normally, with meningitis, your neck is so stiff you can't move and the pain in your head is unbearable and does not come and go.    I was also violently ill, not mildly nauseated, and had a high fever.   I think you can feel pretty secure in believing you don't have it.  I know when I had it, I KNEW.   It was unmistakable.  

Good luck!   Try not to get too stressed out.  Stress can give you all kinds of symptoms, too ...

Karen

[Karen]

Hi,

I know how you feel as I tend to get symptoms if everyone is talking about them.  I had meningitis about a year and a half ago --  it was the most painful thing I have ever experienced.   There was nothing mild about it.  Normally with meningitis, your neck is so stiff you can't move and the pain in your head is unbearable and does not come and go.    I was also violently ill, not mildly nauseated, and had a high fever.   I think you can feel pretty secure in believing you don't have it.  I know when I had it, I KNEW.   It was unmistakable.  

Good luck!   Try not to get too stressed out.  Stress can give you all kinds of symptoms, too ...

Karen