Headaches in Children

Call 911 or other emergency services anytime you think your child may need emergency care. For example, call if your child has:

• A very painful, sudden headache that's different than any he or she has had before.
• A fever with a stiff neck.
• A headache with sudden weakness, numbness, trouble moving parts of the body, vision problems, slurred speech, confusion, or behavior changes.

Call the doctor or seek medical care right away if your child has:

• Headaches after a recent fall or blow to the head.
• New nausea or vomiting, or if your child can't keep food or liquids down.

Watch closely for changes in your child's health. Call the doctor if your child's headaches:

• Last longer than 1 or 2 days.
• Wake him or her from sleep.
• Get worse or happen more often.
• Cause your child to take pain medicines often.
• Do not go away as expected.
• Occur along with a change in personality.

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