What causes fever, headache, and vomiting in children?

Question

Hello doctor,

My child has symptoms of a stomach ache, headache, fever, and feeling unwell. She also vomited up her food and medicine.

She has had a fever for the past three days. Since yesterday, everything seemed fine, and today she was playing normally. However, since the evening, she has been feeling unwell again. She developed a headache that has continued for several hours, and now she has a fever along with a stomachache and headache.

Earlier, she was given medicine for the fever, and the fever improved. However, we gave her another dose after food today, and she vomited both the food and the medicine.

Please help.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

As a child specialist, I understand your concern.

Since your child had a fever for the past three days, seemed better yesterday and earlier today, but has now developed a fever again along with headache, stomach pain, and vomiting, she may be experiencing an ongoing viral infection, a gastrointestinal infection, or another illness that requires reassessment.

The most important thing at the moment is to prevent dehydration and monitor for warning signs. For now, please do the following:

Offer small, frequent sips of water, oral rehydration solution (ORS), or clear fluids.
Avoid forcing food until the nausea settles.
If she vomited immediately after taking the fever medicine, the dose may not have been absorbed. However, do not repeat the dose right away unless advised, as the timing matters.
Allow her to rest and monitor her temperature.

Please notice the following symptoms. Seek urgent medical evaluation if she develops any of the following:

Severe or worsening headache.
Persistent or repeated vomiting.
Difficulty waking up, excessive sleepiness, or confusion.
Neck stiffness.
Breathing difficulty.
Signs of dehydration (dry mouth, no tears, reduced urine output).
Severe or localized abdominal pain, especially on the right lower side.

To guide you better, please let me know the following:

How old is your child?
What is her current temperature?
How many times has she vomited?
Is the stomach pain generalized or located in one area?
Does she have diarrhea, cough, sore throat, or a rash?
What fever medicine did you give, and how long after taking it did she vomit?

I look forward to your reply and will be happy to help further.

I hope I have answered your question.

Let me know if I can assist you further.

Thank you.