Differential Diagnosis for Fever, Headache, and Dizziness
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Viral upper respiratory infection: This is a common condition that often presents with fever, headache, and dizziness due to the body's inflammatory response to the virus.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Sinusitis: Inflammation of the sinuses can cause fever, headache (often localized to the face), and dizziness, especially if there is significant nasal congestion or sinus pressure.
- Migraine: Although typically characterized by severe headache, migraines can also cause fever and dizziness, particularly if the migraine is severe or if the patient experiences a migraine with aura.
- Influenza: Similar to viral upper respiratory infections, influenza can present with fever, headache, and dizziness, especially during peak flu seasons.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Meningitis: An infection of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord, meningitis is a medical emergency that can present with fever, headache, and dizziness, along with stiff neck and confusion.
- Encephalitis: Inflammation of the brain tissue, usually due to viral infections, can cause fever, headache, dizziness, and altered mental status, requiring prompt medical attention.
- Subarachnoid hemorrhage: A life-threatening condition involving bleeding into the space surrounding the brain, it can present with sudden severe headache, fever, and dizziness.
- Brain abscess: A rare but serious condition where an abscess forms in the brain, it can cause fever, headache, and dizziness, among other neurological symptoms.
Rare Diagnoses
- Temporal arteritis: An inflammation of the blood vessels in the head, it can cause fever, headache, and dizziness, particularly in older adults.
- Neurosyphilis: A complication of untreated syphilis, it can cause a wide range of neurological symptoms, including fever, headache, and dizziness.
- Brain tumor: Although rare, brain tumors can cause a variety of symptoms depending on their location, including fever, headache, and dizziness, especially if they cause increased intracranial pressure.