My doctor claims it's tonsillitis, but that doesn't explain my neck.

Dear Ask The Doctor: Hello! I have a fairly detailed question abut my recent neck stiffness and other (extremely) varied symptoms. To give you a time-line: Today is Thursday. Last Friday, I was completely fine. I moved a bunch of heavy boxes, but no big deal. Saturday morning I woke up inexplicably exhausted, and my entire body was sore. I passed this off as simply having over-exerted myself. Sunday the symptoms were similar, but on Monday the soreness in the majority of my body was gone, I was simply left with a splitting headache and a very sore neck. I had also developed alternating fever and chills, and a sore throat. I expected things to get better, but as of today my symptoms are largely the same-- sometimes I have a fever of 102, drenched in sweat, while other times I'm piled under 4 winter blankets trying to stay warm. I can hardly move my neck at all, and the skin is warm to the touch. I'm so tired all the time, I probably spend 20 hours a day in bed, and the other 4 just lying on the couch. I have no appetite. Whenever I change the position of my body or try to sit up (which is difficult enough as it is) I have a splitting headache that lasts usually 10-15 seconds. As far as my neck goes, I can take Tylenol for it, but that only helps me regain movement for about an hour before the stiffness and pain start setting back in, so seeing as you can only take Tylenol every 6 hours, it doesn't do much. What options do I have for such a wide variety of symptoms? I respect my doctor's decision that I have tonsillitis, but I'm also worried I might have viral meningitis, of course since I'm not a doctor, I'm probably incorrect. Would you suggest going for a second opinion at least?

Dear Rachel:

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