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My Child has headaches and/or vomiting meningitis, head strokes, is it an infection? A virus? Other?
Headaches are common in childhood. Most of the time, they are nothing to worry about and are caused by minor illnesses: Mild bumps, lack of sleep, not getting enough food or drink, stress, migraines. 1,2
Here is when you should worry and see your Doctor:
- Headache with fever and stiff neck
- Pain is severe and unrelenting despite acetaminophen or Ibuprofen
- Headache and frequent or persistent vomiting especially with no fever or diarrhea. It might be a virus or a sign of pressure on the brain
- Child is sleepy, has trouble walking or talking, experiences weakness in arms or keys or balance problems
- When it prevents your child from sleep
- When headache follows an injury and is accompanied by vomiting
- Headache with visual changes
- Headache with seizures 1,2,3
Causes:
- Illness and infection: colds, flu, ear and sinusitis injection, meningitis, encephalitis
- Head trauma
- Emotional factors: stress and anxiety problems with peers, teachers and parents
- Genetic predisposition, particularly migraines tend to run in families
- Certain food and beverages: Nitrates (food preservative) found in bacon and hot dogs, caffeine in soda, chocolates, etc.
Dr. Monique Zgheib
Pediatrician
