The combination of afeverand aheadacheis a common sign of infection.
Some infections that cause fever and headache, such as bacterial meningitis, can be serious and require hospitalization.
Other infections that cause fever and headache are more run-of-the-mill and will get better on their own.
Verywell / Joshua Seong
The article discusses both infectious and non-infectious causes of a headache with a fever.
It also covers other possible symptoms and when you should see a healthcare provider.
Meningitis
Meningitisis an inflammation of the meninges, the protective membranes around the brain and spinal cord.
Get our printable guide for your next doctor’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.
If you think you may have symptoms of meningitis, seek immediate medical care.
In the majority of people with meningitis,nuchalrigiditywill be present.
Treatment
With viral meningitis, there is no specific treatment.
Most people recover on their own from viral meningitis after a week to 10 days.
An antiviral medication could help if the meningitis is triggered by certain viruses such as influenza or herpes virus.
Bacterial meningitis is treated with antibiotics.
Both meningitis and encephalitis can cause abnormalities in brain function leading to confusion and seizures.
Encephalitis is a serious, life-threatening disease that needs immediate medical attention.
Severe cases lead to death in about 10% of patients.
Because the two can be so difficult to differentiate, doctors sometimes use the term meningoencephalitis.
If its a bacterial infection, antibiotics should be prescribed.
Steroids may be given to reduce swelling and brain pressure.
These illnesses are due to viruses that spread easily from person to person.
Mono is usually mild, and the flu can cause mild symptoms or severe illness.
Fever and headache are possible but less common with a cold than with the flu.
Over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen and ibuprofen may also help with a headache and fever.
If you have the flu, your doctor may be able to prescribe antiviral drugs.
Physicians dont prescribe antibiotics for a cold, the flu, or mono since theyre not effective against viruses.
Symptoms of a brain abscess can resemble that of meningitis or encephalitis.
This can include antibiotics or antifungal medication, depending on what caused the infection.
Diuretics, which reduce fluid, may also be used to decrease swelling in the brain.
Surgery may be needed to drain the abscess if its larger than 2 centimeters or if it might rupture.
Your sinuses are hollow spaces behind your forehead, eyes, and cheeks that connect to your nasal passages.
The sinuses make thin mucus that drains out of the nose.
When they become blocked with fluid, bacteria can grow and cause an infection.
This extra mucus could be because of a cold or allergies.
Heatstroke
Heatstrokeis the most severe form of heat-related illness.
It can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention.
The symptoms of heatstroke include:
Heatstroke is a medical emergency.
Call 911 if you suspect heatstroke.
While waiting for medical help, try cooling the persons body as quickly as possible.
Get to a shady, cool area.
Have them lie down and elevate their feet.
Apply cold water to the skin and then use a fan to help cool the body quickly.
In the emergency room, intravenous (IV) fluids will be used to replace fluids lost.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis(RA) causes pain, stiffness, and swelling in the joints.
In some cases, it can cause fever and headaches.
RA can occasionally cause mild fevers.
It can also cause headaches, particularly if it affects the cervical spine.
Treatment for RA typically includes disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs).
These can slow the progression of RA by modifying your immune system.
Biologic agents are sometimes used to control inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis.
If HIV isnt treated, it can lead to AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome).
AIDS is the final stage of HIV infection in which the immune system is severely damaged.
Early HIV or AIDS can cause many different symptoms.
Headache and fever are possible symptoms of both.
Symptoms of early HIV infection can happen two to four weeks after exposure to the virus.
These early symptoms are estimated to affect about two-thirds of those infected.
While there isnt a cure for HIV, medications are available to control it.
Antiretroviral therapy (ART) involves taking a daily combination of HIV medications.
This reduces the amount of HIV in the blood and helps protect the immune system.
Lupus
Lupusis an autoimmune disease.
It can cause swelling and pain throughout your body.
Your symptoms can be minimal at times and flare up at other times, suddenly becoming more severe.
Headaches are a common symptom for people with lupus.
Reoccuring low-grade fevers are also common before a lupus flare or oncoming illness.
Some medications can help treat swelling and pain.
Others help prevent the immune system from attacking tissues in the body.
Corticosteroids such as prednisone can help reduce pain and calm the immune system.
They may be prescribed in either low or high doses, depending on the severity of the illness.
Antimalarial drugs such as hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine phosphate may also be prescribed.
In addition to treating malaria, they help treat joint pain, fatigue, and lung inflammation with lupus.
Other Causes
There are also less common causes of the combination of fever and headache.
Call your doctor to let them know your symptoms.
These are calledthunderclap headachesbecause they can appear suddenly like a crash of thunder.
Some thunderclap headaches can occur because of a problem with blood vessels in the brain.
This can include a stroke or a brain aneurysm.
Summary
Having both a fever and headache can be signs of an infectious or non-infectious condition.
Some illnesses may be mild, such as the common cold.
Others can be serious, or even life-threatening, such as meningitis or a brain abscess.
Call your doctor if you have any questions about what could be causing your headache and fever.
Let them know if you have new or concerning symptoms, or if theyre persistent or getting worse.
Seek emergency care for any severe symptoms.
Get our printable guide for your next doctor’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.
2022 Jun;10(1):1-15. doi:10.3389/fped.2022.923125
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Bacterial meningitis.
Kohil A, Jemmieh S, Smatti MK, Yassine HM.Viral meningitis: an overview.Arch Virol.
2021;166(2):335-345. doi:10.1007/s00705-020-04891
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Viral meningitis.
2020;7(11):ofaa471.
2021;27(1):12-25. doi:10.1007/s13365-020-00923-3
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Meningitis and encephalitis fact sheet.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Flu symptoms & complications.
Patel K, Clifford DB.Bacterial brain abscess.Neurohospitalist.2014;4(4):196-204. doi:10.1177/1941874414540684
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Cerebral abscess.
Penn Medicine.Sinus infection (sinusitis).
2015;58(1):89. doi:10.3340/jkns.2015.58.1.89
Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center.Rheumatoid arthritis treatment.
2021;48(1):31. doi:10.1186/s43166-021-00078-x
Lupus Foundation of America.Lupus symptoms.
Lupus Foundation of America.Treating lupus: a guide.
