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Health Care => Headache => Topic started by: Shahjalal Prodhania on December 09, 2020, 05:20:24 PM

Title: 10 Causes of Headache and Fever and What to Do?
Post by: Shahjalal Prodhania on December 09, 2020, 05:20:24 PM
10 Causes of Headache and Fever and What to Do?

Headache and fever are common symptoms of several kinds of illnesses. Mild types like the seasonal flu virus and allergies can cause these symptoms. Sometimes getting a fever can give you a headache.

Headache pain and fever are common in both adults and children. In some cases, they may signal that your body is fighting a more serious infection or illness. Read on for the different causes of a headache and fever.

Fever and headache pain

A fever is a rise in your body temperature. This can happen when your body is fighting an infection. Viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites can cause infections.

Other illnesses and inflammation can also trigger a fever. You might have a fever if your body temperature is higher than 98.6°F (37°C). A fever can lead to changes in your body that may lead to a headache.

Causes

1. Allergies
If you’re allergic to pollen, dust, animal dander or other triggers, you may get a headache. Two kinds of headache pain are linked to allergies: migraine attacks and sinus headaches.

Allergies may cause headaches due to nasal or sinus congestion. This happens when an allergic reaction makes the passageways inside and around your nose and mouth inflamed and swollen.

Allergy headache symptoms may include:


Allergies don’t typically cause a fever. However, they can make you more likely to get a viral or bacterial infection. This can lead to a fever and more headache pain.

2. Colds and flu
Colds and the flu are caused by viruses. A viral infection may give you a fever and cause headaches. Getting the flu or catching a cold can also make migraine attacks and cluster headaches worse.

Cold and flu viruses may cause inflammation, swelling, and liquid to build up in your nose and sinuses. This leads to headache pain. You may also have other cold and flu symptoms, such as:


3. Bacterial infections
Some kinds of bacteria can cause infections in your lungs, airways, sinuses around your nose, kidneys, urinary tract and other areas.

Bacterial infections can also happen through a wound or a cavity in your tooth. Some bacterial infections can spread throughout the body. This may be life-threatening and requires urgent treatment.

Symptoms of a bacterial infection depend on what area of the body it’s in. Common symptoms include fever and headaches. Symptoms of a bacterial infection in the lungs also include:


4. Ear infection
Ear infections may be caused by a bacterial or viral infection. They’re more common in children than in teens and adults.

They can cause a buildup of liquid inside the middle ear. This causes pressure and pain in and around the ear.

Ear infections can cause headaches and fever. See your doctor if you or your child has an ear infection. Some cases can cause lasting damage to the ears. Symptoms include:


5. Meningitis
Fever and headache pain are among the first symptoms of meningitis. This serious illness happens when an infection attacks the lining around the brain and spinal cord. A meningitis infection is usually caused by a virus, though bacterial and fungal infections can also be the cause.

Meningitis can happen to both children and adults. It can be life-threatening and requires urgent medical treatment. Look for these symptoms of meningitis:


6. Heatstroke
Heatstroke is also called sunstroke. Heatstroke happens when your body overheats. This can happen if you’re in a very warm place for too long. Exercising too much at a time in hot weather can also cause lead to heatstroke.

A heatstroke is an emergency condition. If not treated, it can lead to damage of the:



A fever of 104°F (40°C) or higher is the main symptom of heatstroke. You may also have a throbbing headache. Other symptoms of heatstroke include:



7. Rheumatoid arthritis


Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and other kinds of inflammatory conditions may trigger fevers and headache pain. This kind of arthritis happens when your body mistakenly attacks your joints and other tissues.

About 40 percent of people with RA also have pain and other symptoms in areas such as the:



If you have RA, you may have a higher risk of infections. Some medications to treat RA and other autoimmune diseases can also raise your risk. This is because they work by slowing down immune system activity.

Infections, medications, and stress due to RA may indirectly cause fever and headaches. Other symptoms of RA include:



8. Medications

Certain medications can cause fever and headache pain. These include:


Taking too much pain-relieving medication, or taking it too often, can also cause headaches and other symptoms. These include migraine medications, opioids, and over-the-counter pain relief medications.

If you have a headache from medication overuse, you may also have:


9. Vaccinations

Fever and headache pain may happen after getting a vaccine. Most vaccines may cause a slight fever within 24 hours, and last one to two days. Some immunizations can cause a delayed reaction.

The MMR and chickenpox vaccines can cause a fever one to four weeks after getting it. You may get a fever and headache because your body is reacting to the vaccine as it builds immunity against disease. Other symptoms include:


10. Cancer
Cancer and other serious illnesses can cause fever and headache pain. The American Cancer Society notes that it’s common for people with any type of cancer to have fevers. This is sometimes a sign that you also have an infection.

In other cases, changes in the body due to illness or a tumor can trigger a fever. Cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy can also cause fever and headaches.

Other side effects include nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite. This can cause dehydration and involve eating too little. These effects may also trigger fever and headache pain.

Treatment
Treatment for headaches and fever depends on the cause. Bacterial infections may require antibiotics. Colds and flu viruses usually don’t require treatment and go away on their own.

Your doctor may recommend rest and over-the-counter medications for symptoms of colds, flu, other infections, and allergies. These include:



In some cases, your doctor may prescribe:



Home remedies
At-home treatments may help relieve cold, flu, and allergy symptoms. These can help soothe headaches and reduce fevers.



Considerations for kids

Check with your child’s pediatrician before using essential oils. Some essential oils aren’t safe for children. If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, also check with your doctor before trying essential oils and other natural remedies.

Prevention
Help prevent infections and allergies to reduce headaches and fevers. Some tips for yourself and your child include:

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When to see a doctor

In some cases, you may need treatment if you have a fever, headaches, or other symptoms. Get medical attention if you have:



If your child has a fever and headache pain after receiving vaccinations, the Seattle Children’s Hospital advises that you should get urgent medical help if they:



Take your child to their pediatrician if:



The bottom line
Headaches and fever are caused by a range of illnesses. These include common and mild infections. Most of these illnesses get better on their own. Viral infections like a cold or flu can’t be cured with antibiotics.

In some cases, a headache and fever may be a sign of more serious illness. See your doctor if your headaches are more severe or feel different than they normally do. Also get medical help if your fever is higher than 103°F (39.4°C) or doesn’t improve with medication therapy.

Look for signs of serious infections like meningitis in children. Bacterial infections may need antibiotic treatment. Leaving them untreated can lead to life-threatening complications.

Source:Healthline