Fever, dizziness and headache

introduction

The combination of fever, dizziness (Vertigo) and headaches can have different causes. If these symptoms occur in combination, other symptoms are usually also present. For example, those that affect the gastrointestinal tract (nausea with vomiting, diarrhea) or cough and / or sore throat. Since fever, dizziness, and headache are common symptoms of a normal flu or cold, they are more likely to be harmless and go away when the illness ends. The cause can also be more serious, such as meningitis (meningitis) or a concussion. If the symptoms occur suddenly or if the symptoms persist, you should definitely consult a doctor.

Read more on the topic: Dizziness with a cold

What can you do?

If you have a fever, headache, or dizziness, there are a number of things you can do to help improve symptoms. Pain-relieving drugs such as ibuprofen or aspirin help against headaches. Both drugs belong to the group of NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) and, in addition to their pain-relieving properties, also have antipyretic and anti-inflammatory effects. If the symptoms persist for several days, there is no improvement or the cause of the symptoms is not clear, a doctor must be consulted in any case. Serious illnesses such as influenza or a concussion must be treated by the doctor. In such cases, self-medication should not take place.

If possible, exercise in the fresh air can help with the headache. But caution is advised, because if the dizziness is too strong, there is a risk of falls and injuries. If a walk outside is not possible, simply opening the window can bring fresh air into the room and help. Sufficient fluid intake and enough sleep also improve the symptoms.

To reduce the fever, cold quark or vinegar compresses around the calves and wrists help. Certain foods such as honey, ginger or garlic also work against pathogens. The slight spiciness of the ginger also stimulates blood circulation and supports the body's immune system.

Read more on this topic at: How can you lower a fever?

When should the doctor be seen?

You should see a doctor if the cause of the fever, dizziness and headache is not due to a cold or other infection. The doctor will take a medical history and do a physical exam to diagnose the cause of the discomfort. Even if the fever is very high (over 40 ° Celsius) or persists for several days after an infection, a doctor should be consulted. It may then be necessary for the patient to take antibiotics.

Duration of complaints

The duration of a fever, headache, and dizziness depends on the underlying cause. With a simple cold, the symptoms go away after a few days. But the duration depends on the type of pathogen, the patient's condition, and the treatment. It takes much longer - up to ten days - to recover from a real flu. With antipyretic and pain reliever drugs, the increased body temperature and headaches can be brought under control within a few days, but the extreme exhaustion and pain in the limbs persist longer.

Read more on this topic at: Duration of the flu

In the case of an infection of the gastrointestinal tract, it is difficult to estimate the duration, as it largely depends on the pathogen. With some infections, the symptoms last only a few hours, with bacterial infections (e.g. from Salmonella or E.coli bacteria) up to two weeks.

Possible causes

Fever, dizziness and headache can have different causes. There are usually other symptoms as well, which can help identify the cause.

Read more on this topic at: Causes of headache

If, in addition to fever, dizziness and headache, symptoms of the upper respiratory tract such as coughing, runny nose and sore throat occur, it is a simple cold or a flu-like infection.

Read more about this at: Cold and nausea - what could be behind it?

The fever is a sign that the body has initiated a defense reaction and is trying to fight the pathogen. The body temperature does not rise above 38.5 ° with a cold. A high fever with values above 39 ° speaks more for real flu (influenza). In addition to fever, dizziness and headache, severe pain in the limbs and sore throat occur. Those affected complain of extreme headaches caused by the changed pressure conditions in the head due to the inflammation in the respiratory tract.

Another cause of fever, dizziness and headache can be a gastrointestinal tract disorder, e.g. gastrointestinal flu or food poisoning. This also leads to vomiting, diarrhea and sometimes severe stomach and intestinal cramps. The loss of fluids and electrolytes weakens the circulation of those affected, which leads to dizziness and circulatory disorders.

This article might also interest you: Typhus

Sudden fever combined with dizziness and headache with no other symptoms can also have more serious causes, such as a concussion or a malignant brain tumor. If the cause of the symptoms is unclear, a doctor should be consulted in order to diagnose the disease and to start treatment as soon as possible.

Also read: Home remedies for a fever

Even after vaccinations, fever may occur in response to the vaccine.

Read more on the topic: Fever in adults after vaccination

What should you pay particular attention to with toddlers / children?

Infants and children in particular do not yet have a fully developed immune system and therefore get a fever much more often than adults. Common causes of fever, headache and dizziness in young children are flu, gastrointestinal diseases or otitis media. Typically, the children are exhausted and feel weak. If you suspect that your child has a high temperature, you should take a fever immediately. The best way to measure a fever in young children is in the ear canal (with a special ear thermometer) or rectally in the buttocks. The measurement under the armpit is too imprecise in children and therefore not recommended. From a body temperature of 38 °, parents should see a pediatrician with their sick child. Antipyretic and pain reliever medication may only be administered as directed by a doctor or pharmacist, as overdosing can easily occur in small children. In young children, the liver does not yet fully fulfill its detoxification function, which means that excessive doses can lead to severe liver damage.

Read more on this topic at: Fever in the toddler

Cold calf compresses and damp washcloths help to lower the fever and have a beneficial effect on headaches. Parents must take special care that their sick child drinks enough to avoid becoming dehydrated. A severe headache can be the first sign that the body is drying out. The child should then consume as much breast milk or water and tea as possible. The sick child has to take it easy and ideally keep bed rest. However, if the fever is high, the children must not be wrapped up too warm, otherwise the body temperature will rise even more.

Learn more about it: Calf wrap against fever

Further symptoms with fever, dizziness and headache

Nausea with fever, dizziness and headache

Fever, dizziness, and headache can often be accompanied by nausea. If these symptoms persist for several days, a doctor should be consulted. This can be because of various diseases.

For one thing, food poisoning can be the cause of the combination of symptoms. Contaminated food (contaminated with bacteria or germs) is responsible for this. Additional symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting are typical. If you suspect food poisoning, especially if you have previously eaten fish or chicken, you should see a doctor as this may be salmonella poisoning.

Read more on the topic: Symptoms of food poisoning

In contrast, there is gastrointestinal flu. Gastrointestinal flu can also be the cause of the symptoms that are often caused by the norovirus. Diarrhea and vomiting or severe stomach cramps are also common. It is a viral infection of the gastrointestinal tract and this usually goes away on its own. The headache can be caused by the drastic loss of fluids or lack of fluid intake. Since this often leads to a strong weakening of the body, the disease can be accompanied by circulatory disorders and thus dizziness. You should make sure to drink enough anyway - preferably tea and / or still mineral water, in order to supply the body with the necessary fluids.

Read more on the topic: Norovirus - How Dangerous Is It?

Even a sunstroke, which occurs after a long and unprotected stay in the sun, can lead to the symptoms headache, dizziness, fever and nausea (with vomiting). A sunstroke occurs when the head becomes overheated and the meninges (Meninges) are irritated and thus cause the symptoms. It usually only occurs after hours. If sunstroke is suspected, the patient should be moved to a dark and cool room and the head and neck should be cooled (cold compresses). If symptoms do not improve in a short period of time, a doctor should be called as inpatient treatment may be necessary.

Cough with fever, dizziness and headache

If a fever, dizziness and headache are accompanied by a cough, it could also be a cold or a flu-like infection. Rest and sufficient fluids usually help to get well again. Pneumonia or bronchitis are also possible.

If you have pneumonia (pneumonia) the lung tissue becomes inflamed, often triggered by an infection by bacteria or viruses. This is called an infectious pneumonia. Pneumonia can also be triggered by an allergy or chemical irritants (inhalation of toxins) (non-infectious pneumonia). The pneumonia caused by bacteria is the most common form and is often accompanied by a very high fever and typical flu symptoms such as headache and dizziness. Shallow breathing is also common. Breathing is also usually painful. In this case, antibiotics can be taken in consultation with the treating doctor in order to combat the bacteria in the lungs.

Read more on the topic: Signs of pneumonia

Furthermore, bronchitis can be responsible for the symptoms fever, dizziness, headache and cough. Bronchitis is an inflammation of the lining of the lungs which is often caused by cold and / or damp environments. The immune system is weakened, making the bronchi more susceptible to viruses. The bronchitis usually goes away after a few days. If this is caused by bacteria, antibiotics should be used to prevent a transfer to the surrounding lung tissue and thus pneumonia.

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Sore throat with fever, dizziness and headache

A sore throat is often the initial symptom of a cold or flu. These are often accompanied by headaches and body aches. Fever and dizziness may occur.

Also one Tonsillar angina (Sore throat or tonsillitis) triggers not only a sore throat, but also headache, fever and dizziness. In addition, the inflammation in the throat makes it difficult to swallow.Here too, pathogens such as viruses and bacteria play a role, which spread to the tonsils when the immune system is weakened. Here, too, the symptoms subside in a few days after bed rest, adequate fluid intake and possible paracetamol intake against the fever. If symptoms worsen, a doctor should be consulted.

Read more on this topic at: Sore throat - what to do

Abdominal pain with fever, dizziness and headache

In the case of intestinal infections or fungal poisoning, the symptoms of fever, dizziness, headache and abdominal pain can occur. In both diseases, the abdominal pain is more cramp-like. Vomiting and diarrhea, palpitations, confusion and circulatory problems often occur. The infection time can vary between 15 minutes and 1-2 days, although it can be said that more serious or life-threatening fungus poisoning usually has a longer latency period. If there is any suspicion that fungal poisoning may exist, a doctor should be consulted immediately so that therapy can begin. Either the symptoms are alleviated (in the case of slight poisoning) or the stomach is flushed, activated charcoal is given or, if available, an antidote is administered. Intestinal infections can be of bacterial or viral origin and usually subside after a few days. Here, too, sufficient fluid intake should be considered. Heat pillows can help relieve stomach cramps.

Read more on the topic: Abdominal pain and fever

Diarrhea with fever, dizziness and headache

As already described above, a gastrointestinal infection can be responsible for the symptoms fever, headache, dizziness and diarrhea. Very rarely the symptoms can occur as a side effect of a tetanus vaccination. However, these are rather harmless and usually subside after a few days. As already mentioned above, food poisoning can lead to the combination of symptoms.

Read more on the topic: Diet for diarrhea

Vomiting with fever, dizziness and headache

In addition to the gastrointestinal infections and food poisoning already mentioned, meningitis can also occur in rare cases (meningitis) lead to vomiting, dizziness, fever and headache. This is triggered, for example, by a previous otitis media and usually begins with flu symptoms such as fever, headache and vomiting. Neurological disorders such as dizziness or hearing disorders can also occur. Typical of meningitis is a stiff neck that prevents the patient from tilting their head towards their chest. A doctor must be consulted who will administer an antibiotic - even if it is not yet clear whether the pathogens are of viral or bacterial origin. A viral meningitis usually heals on its own, whereas bacterial meningitis can cause blood poisoning and can therefore be life-threatening.
The combination of headache, dizziness and vomiting is also typical for a concussion, which is often triggered after a blow or fall on the head. Rarely, fever can be a symptom when an inflammatory reaction is present. If a concussion is suspected, a doctor should be seen who can rule out a more serious head injury.

Read more on the topic: Vomiting and fever