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Headache With Signs of Serious Illness

When a headache, vomiting, fever, or a seizure occurs along with another serious illness, immediate medical care is needed. Signs of serious illness include:

  • Confusion or extreme irritability.
  • Extreme sleepiness.
  • New and different skin rash or severe bruises that appear without an injury.
  • New double vision, blurred vision, or blind spots.
  • Persistent nausea or vomiting.
  • Rapid, difficult breathing.
  • Severe neck stiffness or pain.
  • Severe sensitivity to light (photophobia).
  • Severe pain.
  • Unsteadiness that prevents standing or walking (ataxia or vertigo).

Although uncommon, a headache with signs of a serious illness may be a sign of:

Recommended Related to Migraines/Headaches

Understanding Headache -- the Basics

Although painful and troublesome, most headaches are minor and can be easily treated with aspirin or another pain reliever. But if they are severe, recur frequently, or are accompanied by other symptoms, you may need to take additional steps -- and the first step is to see a doctor. Headaches are categorized according to their underlying causes. Tension (muscle-contraction) headaches make up one common group. A second common category includes migraine and cluster headaches. A third group consists...

Read the Understanding Headache -- the Basics article > >

Call your doctor for an evaluation if you have a headache and other signs of a serious illness.

By Healthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer William H. Blahd, Jr., MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine
Last Revised July 2, 2010

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: July 02, 2010
This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.

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