Mild headache commonly occurs as part of a cold or other viral illness. A high fever almost always causes a headache. Many children get a headache in the late afternoon when they are hungry.

Headaches caused by illness go away when the fever comes down. Others come and go during the illness.

In children and adults the most common cause of recurrent headaches is tension. Tension headaches give a sensation of tightness that completely encircles the head. The neck muscles also become sore and tight. Tension headaches can be caused by prolonged use of video games, computers, or typewriters. Many children get tension headaches as a reaction to stresses (such as pressure for better grades or unresolved disagreements with their parents). Recurrent headaches can have numerous causes and deserve medical evaluation.

Tension headaches usually last 2-8 hours and tend to recur.

CALL YOUR PEDIATRICIAN IMMEDIATELY IF:

	The pain is very severe
	Your child is confused or not acting normally
	Your child is difficult to awaken from sleep
	Speech is slurred
	Vision is blurred or double
	Walking is unsteady
	Vomiting has occurred 3 or more times
	The neck is stiff
	The pupils are unequal in size
	Your child is acting very sick

TREATMENTS:

  1) Acute headaches (recent onset)

	Your child should lie down and rest until he is feeling better.
	If he is hungry, offer him some food.
	For headaches with fever, give your child acetaminophen and repeat it in 4 hours if needed.
	For headaches without fever you may use ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Sometimes it is helpful to give both medications at the same time in order to get an additive effect.
	Place a cool washcloth on your child's forehead.

  2) Tension headachs

If your child has been evaluated by a physician and has tension headaches, try the following to help ease the pain:

	When a headache occurs, your child should lie down and relax. Give him ibuprofen or acetaminophen as soon as the headache begins. (Avoid Aspirin). The medication is more effective if it is started early.
	If something is bothering you child, help him talk about it and get it off his mind.
	Teach your child not to skip meals if doing so brings on headaches.
	Stretch and massage the neck muscles.
	To prevent tension headaches, teach your child to take breaks from activities that require sustained concentration. Encourage your child to do relaxation exercises during the breaks.
	If over-achievement causes headaches, help your child get out of the fast track.

CALL YOUR PEDIATRICIAN IF:

	The headache lasts for more than 24 hours despite the pain-relief medicine.
	The headache worsens 2 hours after your child has taken pain-relief medicine.
	New symptoms develop that concern you.

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