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Published on: 7/15/2026

What could be the possible causes if you are experiencing fever and headache at the same time?

Yoshinori Abe

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Headaches accompanied by a fever can stem from many causes, ranging from mild to severe. Common culprits include viral infections like the common cold or flu, sinus infections, and ear infections. More serious causes may include bacterial meningitis, encephalitis, or, in rare cases, a brain tumor. The combination of these symptoms often signals that your body is fighting an infection, but persistent, severe, or worsening symptoms should never be ignored.

Because the causes vary so widely, it can be difficult to know whether your symptoms warrant rest at home or urgent medical attention. Taking a free, instant, online symptom check can help you better understand what's driving your headache and fever, identify possible conditions, and guide you toward the right next steps—saving you time, worry, and potentially critical delays in care.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/14/2026

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Important Next Steps

Learn likely causes of fever and headacheSee if fever and headache need careFind out what’s causing your feverDiscover OTC options for fever reliefFind a doctor for fever and headacheUnderstand home remedies for fever and headacheCheck if it could be serious

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Explanation

Headache with fever generally prompts us to think about some sort of infection that can range from benign to serious - common cold, influenza, sinusitis, meningitis, etc. These symptoms together may also indicate non-infectious diseases like a brain tumor, inflammatory disease or autoimmune diseases. However, these more serious illnesses are often accompanied by other severe symptoms like rashes, vomiting, changes in consciousness, loss of balance or weakness in the extremities. If you're experiencing a headache with fever and want to better understand what might be causing your symptoms, try our free AI-powered symptom checker for personalized insights.

(References)

  • Do TP, Remmers A, Schytz HW, Schankin C, Nelson SE, Obermann M, Hansen JM, Sinclair AJ, Gantenbein AR, Schoonman GG. Red and orange flags for secondary headaches in clinical practice: SNNOOP10 list. Neurology. 2019 Jan 15;92(3):134-144. doi: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000006697. Epub 2018 Dec 26. PMID: 30587518; PMCID: PMC6340385.

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