Which condition is an infection of the meninges that can present with high fever, vomiting, and painful movement?

• A. Croup
• B. Epiglottitis
• C. Bronchiolitis
• D. Meningitis

Answer: (D)

Meningitis is an infection of the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord, and the resulting inflammation causes the classic signs of meningeal irritation. When the meninges are inflamed, fever tends to be high, vomiting can occur from the systemic illness and raised intracranial pressure, and movement of the head or neck becomes painful due to neck stiffness or nuchal rigidity. In an exam scenario, this combination—fever with vomiting and pain on movement—points to meningitis rather than an airway or lung infection.

The other conditions involve different parts of the airway or lungs and show different symptom patterns: croup typically presents with a barking cough and stridor from upper airway inflammation; epiglottitis often features drooling, dysphagia, and a preference for sitting forward due to airway distress; bronchiolitis usually causes cough with wheezing and increased work of breathing from lower airway involvement. So the described symptoms align best with meningitis. In real life, this is a medical emergency requiring urgent evaluation and treatment.