Headaches: Check Your Symptoms

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Check Your Symptoms

If you answer yes to any of the following questions, click on the "Yes" in front of the question for information about how soon to see a health professional.

Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.

If you have any of the following symptoms, evaluate those symptoms first.

• A headache develops after a head injury: Go to the topic:
  • Head Injury, Age 4 and Older.
  • Head Injury, Age 3 and Younger.
• A seizure: Go to the topic Seizures.
• A fever: Go to the topic:
  • Fever, Age 4 and Older.
  • Fever, Age 3 and Younger.
• Facial pain: Go to the topic Facial Problems, Noninjury.
• A headache and you are pregnant: Go to the topic Pregnancy-Related Problems.

Yes

Do you have a headache with a severe stiff neck or a fever?

Yes

Did you have a headache with any loss of function, but all loss of function symptoms are now gone?

Yes

Do you have a headache with a change in your level of consciousness?

Yes

Do you have a headache with a vision change?

Yes

Has a headache awakened you from sleep?

Yes

Do you have a headache with nausea and vomiting?

Yes

Does your child have a headache?

Yes

Is your headache caused or made worse by activity?

Yes

Do you think your headache may be caused by abuse?

Yes

Has your headache continued after using home treatment and prescription or nonprescription medicine?

Yes

Do you think your headache may be caused by a medicine?

Yes

Have you had a change in the usual pattern of your headaches?

If a visit to a health professional is not needed immediately, see the Home Treatment section for self-care information.

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Last updated:	July 12, 2006
Author:	Sydney Youngerman-Cole, RN, BSN, RNC
Reviewed By:	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine, H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer