What symptom is indicative of meningismus?

Meningismus refers to the triad of symptoms that suggest irritation of the meninges, the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. One of the hallmark signs of meningismus is neck stiffness. This stiffness occurs due to inflammation or irritation of the meninges, making it painful for the individual to flex their neck forward.

While high fever, severe headache, and shortness of breath can be associated with various medical conditions, they are not specific indicators of meningismus. High fever might accompany infections, severe headache can be present in numerous disorders, and shortness of breath is indicative of respiratory issues. In the context of meningismus, neck stiffness serves as a more direct symptom pointing to the irritation of the meninges, confirming its significance in the assessment of conditions like meningitis.