Which acute condition corresponds with a high temperature over 104 degrees Fahrenheit?

A high temperature over 104 degrees Fahrenheit typically indicates a severe systemic response to infection, and one condition that is strongly associated with this degree of fever is meningitis. Meningitis is an inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord, often due to bacterial or viral infection. This condition frequently causes high fevers, along with other possible symptoms such as neck stiffness, headache, and altered mental status.

While pneumonia and influenza can cause high fevers as well, they generally do not reach the extremes as often as seen in meningitis. Appendicitis can also present with fever, but it usually has associated symptoms like abdominal pain and is not typically characterized by extremely high fevers. Thus, meningitis stands out in this context due to its potential to cause such elevated temperatures and the urgent need for medical evaluation.