What are the key symptoms of brain and spinal infections?

Several: Fever, headache, photophobia, phonophobia, nausea and vomiting, stiff neck, alterations in sensorium and changes in mentation all may occur, along with localizing abnormalities of nerve function, which may include paralysis of some areas of the body.

Fever, pain: Fever, sweats, chills, nausea and vomiting, neck pain, back pain, headache, delerium, sepsis, confusion, and many others.