Red flags
Red flags
Headaches that require urgent referral include those where there is:8
·     possible injury to the head, such as a fall
·     severe/intense pain not experienced before
·     a sudden change in speech, memory, or vision
·     drowsiness or confusion
·     high fever, stiff neck or rash
·     redness in an eye
In addition, and especially for children, look out for:9,10
·     pain worsening when moving the angle of the head (eg lying down or sitting up), or when coughing
·     waking up with a headache
·     nausea/vomiting or any change in behaviour or personality
·     sudden onset
·     photophobia
·     muscle weakness in a limb or the face
·     fits.