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What Causes Fever And Headache In Children?
hello, my daughter has been unwell since last night. She is 7 and has had a fever of between 38 and 39.1 (currently 38.6, although did drop for a few hours to 37.6 after taking child ibobrufen. She is lethargic, has no appetite, has complained of a headache since last night and everytime she raises her head she says it is worse and is generally not herself. I am concerned she may have some of the symptoms of meningitis, but she has no vomiting and no obvious rash (although I have noticed some pin-point raised red marks on her left side). Any advice?
Tue, 6 Oct 2015
Hi...Thank you for consulting in Health Care magic.
Fever of few days without any localizing signs could as well a viral illness. Usually rather than fever, what is more important is the activity of the child, in between 2 fever episodes on the same day. If the kid is active and playing around when there is no fever, it is probably viral illness and it doesn't require antibiotics at all. Once viral fever comes it will there for 4-7 days. So do not worry about duration if the kid is active.
Danger signs of meningitis include -
1. Severe neck rigidity.
2. Altered sensorium
3. Seizures
4. Incessant vomiting
5. Loss of consciousness
6. Weakness of body parts.
If these are not there you need not worry about meningitis.
Regards - Dr. Sumanth
Fever of few days without any localizing signs could as well a viral illness. Usually rather than fever, what is more important is the activity of the child, in between 2 fever episodes on the same day. If the kid is active and playing around when there is no fever, it is probably viral illness and it doesn't require antibiotics at all. Once viral fever comes it will there for 4-7 days. So do not worry about duration if the kid is active.
Danger signs of meningitis include -
1. Severe neck rigidity.
2. Altered sensorium
3. Seizures
4. Incessant vomiting
5. Loss of consciousness
6. Weakness of body parts.
If these are not there you need not worry about meningitis.
Regards - Dr. Sumanth
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