Headaches: Check Your Symptoms

Content provided by Healthwise

When to See a Doctor

Does your child have a headache?

See significance of headaches in children if you need information to help you answer the questions below.

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

Call your health professional immediately if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.

Yes

Does your child have a headache with other symptoms of a serious illness?

Yes

Does your child have severe headache pain?

Call your health professional today if you answer "Yes" to the following question.

Yes

Are you unable to relieve your child's moderate headache with home treatment?

You may wait to see if the symptoms improve over the next 24 hours (or specified time period) if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.

Yes

Has your child's headache caused mild pain without other symptoms for 24 hours or longer?

Yes

Has your child's headache gradually gotten worse during the past 24 hours?

Yes

Does your child have recurrent headaches that have not gotten better for 24 hours or longer after being checked by a doctor?

Yes

Does your child have a headache every day without other symptoms?

You need an appointment within the next 1 to 2 weeks if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.

Yes

Does your child have a headache 2 or more times per week?

Yes

Are you giving your child nonprescription pain medicine (such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen) for a headache more than 1 time a week?

Yes

Does your child miss school because of his or her headaches?

Yes

Are you unable to find the cause of your child's headache? Causes may include lack of sleep or dehydration.

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.

Last updated:	July 09, 2008
Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS
Reviewed By:	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine, H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer