Getting a headache and fever together is not uncommon. In fact, people tend to get this combination of symptoms around once a year.
This can especially be the case during wintertime when many people get ill and colds and flu tends to spread. As we all know, feeling this way is never enjoyable, and can mean missed days of work, and a lot of discomfort.
While you may be very uncomfortable and feel terrible when you are feeling this way, thankfully, there are cures and ways to help.
Read on for some suggestions on how to go about addressing this kind of issue, so that you’ll always know how to handle it yourself.
Treating a Headache and Fever
Typically, the symptoms you experience when you feel head pain and are hot are the result of sicknesses like colds. At the same time, they can also be signs of something far worse. Understanding when a headache and fever requires a medical visit is very important information that can one day help save the life of you or someone you care about.
Below is a list of what this combination of symptoms can mean, and whether or not these warrant a visit to the doctor.
As always, be sure to consult your doctor if ever you feel the need to regarding whatever pain or discomfort you are feeling. While it’s always helpful to learn as much as possible about headaches, and we encourage it, online information is no substitute for the in-person opinion of a trained medical professional.
Symptoms: Children
There is nothing worse than having a child who is sick. When they have a headache and fever that is causing them distress, figuring out the right way to handle the situation is critical. If your child is also experiencing continued vomiting, severe pain, has a stiff neck, is pale or flushed, has spots or a rash, or complains of other issues, then you should see a doctor.
Typically, the fever will be a result of a viral infection. A headache itself will come from the fever, creating this painful combination of symptoms. Parenting And Child Health(1) has, even more, information on this topic and can provide additional resources as well as what to look out for when your child is ill and is suffering from this kind of discomfort.
We know it can be scary and debilitating when a child is ill, as they struggle to communicate exactly how they are feeling. However, if you know what to look out for, you can address the issue before it gets too severe.
Symptoms: Adults
As adults typically have more fortitude, a headache and fever are not that uncommon or the biggest cause of concern. However, if the headaches are more extreme than what you are accustomed to, then you might need to seek medical help.
Known as fever headaches, this combination of discomfort may mean that the sickness comes from a bacterial or viral cause. Figuring out what is causing the symptoms is the only way to be able to address a headache and fever directly. Without knowledge of the cause, all you can do is work to treat the symptoms.
As with any kind of symptoms, you’ll need to note them down and address each of them, perhaps even with a combination of approaches, or medication. As always, if you don’t feel well at all, it’s always best to visit a doctor instead of taking a chance on something that could be more serious.
General Advice for Pain Treatment
How can you make a fever headache more bearable? The way to do so is to address the symptoms like you would for a cold. What people suggest in this case is lowering the body temperature, drinking plenty of fluids, and of course, taking lots of time to rest.
Typically, individuals use a combination of ibuprofen and acetaminophen to help reduce the symptoms of headache and fever. People also apply cold washcloths or compresses on the head to help reduce the pain associated with having a headache.
Overall, you’re just looking to make yourself as comfortable as possible while your body takes the time to heal. Of course, if necessary, you may need medical intervention if you are feeling any extreme symptoms.
If your headaches worsens, and graduates to the point of a migraine, then you might need to change the way you are going about treatment. In this case, migraine-specific approaches may have more beneficial results.
Conclusion
As always, if any of the symptoms of a headache and fever concern you, then you should strongly consider seeing a doctor. They will be able to provide their professional medical opinion, giving you a far better idea of what you are up against.
Overall though, it’s a good idea to educate yourself about the various symptoms that come along with head pain.
Having a frontal headache? Visit here to learn more.
(1) http://www.cyh.com/HealthTopics/HealthTopicDetails.aspx?p=114&np=304&id=1464
