While a low-grade fever is not a typical symptom directly caused by a migraine, it is possible for the two to occur at the same time. This co-occurrence usually points to an underlying factor contributing to both conditions, rather than one directly causing the other.
Understanding a Low-Grade Fever
A low-grade fever indicates a slight elevation in the body’s core temperature, typically between 99.0°F (37.2°C) and 100.4°F (38.0°C). This subtle increase often signals the body’s response to a minor irritant or mild physiological stress. It is distinct from a higher fever, which indicates a more significant immune response or infection.
This temperature elevation can be a natural reaction, such as subtle immune activation or a mild inflammatory response. Unlike higher fevers, a low-grade temperature might not always be accompanied by pronounced symptoms like chills or sweating.
Common Migraine Symptoms
Migraine attacks are characterized by debilitating symptoms beyond just head pain. The hallmark is often a severe, throbbing headache, frequently affecting one side of the head, which can worsen with physical activity.
Other neurological symptoms include increased sensitivity to light (photophobia) and sound (phonophobia). Nausea and vomiting are also common. A fever is not considered a primary or typical migraine symptom; core features revolve around pain and sensory disturbances.
Why Fever and Migraine Might Co-Occur
The simultaneous occurrence of a low-grade fever and a migraine often points to a shared underlying factor rather than one directly causing the other. A common scenario involves a coincidental mild illness. For instance, a viral or mild bacterial infection can trigger a low-grade fever while also acting as a stressor that precipitates a migraine attack in susceptible individuals. Immune response to infection can elevate temperature, and systemic illness effects can lower the migraine threshold.
Stress and dehydration are also known migraine triggers that can independently affect body temperature. Physiological stress can slightly increase core body temperature. Mild dehydration can also impact thermoregulation and contribute to a low-grade temperature, while being a recognized migraine trigger.
Certain medications, particularly those for acute migraine treatment or other conditions, may rarely cause a slight temperature increase as a side effect. Consider this possibility if fever appears shortly after taking new medication. Some underlying systemic inflammatory conditions could present with both headaches and low-grade fevers, indicating a broader physiological issue. Recovery from a severe migraine can also lead to general malaise and fatigue, which might sometimes be perceived as a low-grade temperature fluctuation, even without a true fever.
When to Seek Medical Attention
While a low-grade fever with a migraine can be benign, certain accompanying symptoms warrant prompt medical evaluation. A high fever, typically above 102°F (39°C), especially when combined with a severe headache, requires immediate attention. Symptoms such as a stiff neck, confusion, a new skin rash, or extreme sensitivity to light more pronounced than typical migraine photophobia could indicate serious conditions like meningitis.
A sudden, extremely severe headache, often described as a “thunderclap headache,” that reaches maximum intensity within seconds or minutes, necessitates urgent medical assessment. Any fever accompanied by neurological symptoms not typical for an individual’s usual migraine pattern should also be a cause for concern. These atypical symptoms might include weakness on one side of the body, difficulty speaking, changes in vision beyond aura, or numbness.
It is also advisable to seek medical advice if a low-grade fever persists for several days without a clear explanation or if it is accompanied by new or unusual symptoms different from typical migraine attacks. For children or infants experiencing a fever with a headache, medical consultation is particularly important. These signs indicate a more serious underlying issue might be present beyond a standard migraine.