How often does meningitis present without a fever?

Difficult question.: Meningitis can be due to a virus, a bacteria, or some other disease processes, not all of which include fever as a symptom. Some people don't have a fever or their temperature is below normal and have meningitis and gravely ill. There are no good numbers out there for a general answer. It depends on the cause of the meningitis. Either way, a person with meningitis is very, very sick!

Bacterial meningitis: Most cases of bacterial meningitis present with fevers. Viral causes may not present with fever. In particular, herpes simplex encephalitis may not have fever associated with it until late in the course.