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Suggest Treatment For Fever, Headache And Stiff Neck
Question: my daughter was complaining of a headache and stiff neck on Tuesday - today she has a headache, dizziness and a fever of 102.5
Brief Answer:
Take her to the ER without delay
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.
Fever with neck rigidity could indicate meningitis. It is a serious condition which requires urgent medical attention. Please take the child to the emergency room of a hospital with pediatric facilities, without delay.
Regards
Dr. Diptanshu Das
Take her to the ER without delay
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.
Fever with neck rigidity could indicate meningitis. It is a serious condition which requires urgent medical attention. Please take the child to the emergency room of a hospital with pediatric facilities, without delay.
Regards
Dr. Diptanshu Das
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I had her look down and point her chin to her chest and she was able to do that, would you still be concerned about meningitis?
thanks
thanks
Brief Answer:
If neck rigidity is not present, there is less to worry
Detailed Answer:
But then why did you say that she had neck rigidity? Based on what you just said, I would assume neck rigidity not to be present. In that case, I would be less concerned. Most often fevers in children are caused due to certain viral infections. You have to give tylenol/acetaminophen or tepid sponging to bring down the temperature. In case the child becomes depressed or lethargic, you would have to get concerned and visit a doctor at the earliest.
Regards
Dr. Diptanshu Das
If neck rigidity is not present, there is less to worry
Detailed Answer:
But then why did you say that she had neck rigidity? Based on what you just said, I would assume neck rigidity not to be present. In that case, I would be less concerned. Most often fevers in children are caused due to certain viral infections. You have to give tylenol/acetaminophen or tepid sponging to bring down the temperature. In case the child becomes depressed or lethargic, you would have to get concerned and visit a doctor at the earliest.
Regards
Dr. Diptanshu Das
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I said she was complaining of neck pain on Tuesday (2 days ago)- today when she came home from school, she was saying she had a bad headache and felt dizzy and like she was going to pass out when she was walking at school. that is when I asked her to put her chin to her chest.
Brief Answer:
Neck pain could occur in fever due to muscle fatigue
Detailed Answer:
Sorry for not being able to respond back earlier.
Neck pain is different from neck stiffness or rigidity. While the former could occur due to muscle fatigue that is common in febrile illness, the latter is more ominous and could indicate meningitis. If neck stiffness is not present, there is less cause to worry about. However, visiting a pediatrician would be a better idea as he would be able to examine the child and clear your confusion.
Regards
Dr. Diptanshu Das
Neck pain could occur in fever due to muscle fatigue
Detailed Answer:
Sorry for not being able to respond back earlier.
Neck pain is different from neck stiffness or rigidity. While the former could occur due to muscle fatigue that is common in febrile illness, the latter is more ominous and could indicate meningitis. If neck stiffness is not present, there is less cause to worry about. However, visiting a pediatrician would be a better idea as he would be able to examine the child and clear your confusion.
Regards
Dr. Diptanshu Das
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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