Meningitis does not cause coughing, but encephalitis is a diffuse, inflammatory change in the soft meninges of the brain caused by infection with a variety of bacteria or viruses. Meningitis has an acute or subacute onset, and the patient will exhibit symptoms of infection, such as fever, chills, and positive signs of meningeal irritation, as well as neck stiffness. When the patient’s intracranial pressure increases, there will be severe headache, projectile vomiting, and in severe cases, the patient will have symptoms of impaired consciousness. Some patients may have focal symptoms of cerebral nerves, such as limb movement disorders and seizures.