What common symptom is associated with Neisseria meningitidis infection?

The common symptom associated with Neisseria meningitidis infection includes fever, headache, and nuchal rigidity. This bacterium is known to cause meningitis, an inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord.

In cases of meningitis, fever is typically one of the initial symptoms, reflecting the body's immune response to the infection. A severe headache often accompanies this, which can be debilitating, and it is frequently described as one of the worst headaches the person has ever experienced. Nuchal rigidity, or stiffness of the neck, is a clinical sign indicating irritation of the meningeal membranes and is a hallmark symptom of meningitis. This combination of symptoms is crucial for healthcare professionals to recognize the potential for a serious condition that requires prompt medical intervention.

Other options do not specifically correlate with the characteristic presentation of Neisseria meningitidis infection. For instance, joint pain can occur in various conditions but is not directly associated with meningococcal infections. A skin rash could occur in certain cases, particularly when there is a septicemia component, but it is not as consistently prominent as the fever, headache, and neck stiffness. Similarly, cough and sore throat are symptoms more aligned with respiratory infections rather than meningitis.