Headache Red Flags

Question 1

Sudden onset, severe “thunderclap” headache

Answer 1

Subarachnoid hemorrhage

Question 2

Headache onset with exercise

Answer 2

Ruptured aneurysm

Question 3

New headache onset after age 50

Answer 3

Temporal arteritis, intracranial mass

Question 4

Headache with fever, stiff neck, photophobia, systemic signs

Answer 4

Meningitis, encephalitis

Question 5

Headache with focal neurologic signs, symptoms, or papilledema

Answer 5

Tumor, subdural hematoma, epidural bleed

Question 6

Multiple people with similar new onset headache, i.e. family coworkers

Answer 6

Environmental exposure, CO poisoning.