Q: My 6-year-old has a high fever, dizziness, sudden chest pain, and right-hand weakness. Is this the flu or an emergency?

Medically reviewed by Sang Hyun Ahn, MD

Content edited by Myeongchan Kim, MD

This post is a dramatization of a question and answer session experienced by our actual medical reviewers. Please note that this content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional for any health concerns or before making any decisions related to your health or treatment.

Question:

My 6-year-old child woke up dizzy this morning, and their temperature quickly rose to 39°C. They couldn't even stand up and were very uncomfortable until they took a fever reducer. After a short nap, the fever dropped to about 37.5°C, and they recovered enough to play well.

Since then, the fever has been spiking back up to almost 39°C every 4-5 hours. With each spike, my child complains of a slight headache and dizziness, but they have generally been playing well in between.

However, just a little while ago, while we were writing in a notebook, my child suddenly complained of pain in their right chest. They curled up in pain, though it passed within a few seconds. Right after that, I noticed they were holding their pen with a closed fist. When I asked why, they said their hand was shaking and they couldn't grip the pen properly. I asked them to squeeze my fingers, and I noticed a significant loss of strength in their right hand.

I was originally planning to take them to the clinic tomorrow for a flu test, but could this be something other than the flu? Are these symptoms a sign that we need to rush to the emergency room right now?

Answer:

This is a situation that requires emergency medical attention.

The symptoms your child is currently exhibiting—high fever, dizziness, chest pain, and particularly the loss of strength in the right hand—suggest the possibility of a neurological issue rather than a simple case of the flu.

Please observe your child immediately for the following:

• When they smile, do both corners of their mouth raise equally?

• Can they lift both arms to the same height?

• Is their speech slurred or is their pronunciation strange?

You need to go to the emergency room immediately. Immediate evaluation is highly critical due to the combination of:

• Unilateral weakness (loss of strength in one hand/arm)

• Chest pain (even if it only lasted a few seconds)

• Severe dizziness combined with a high fever

While you are on your way to the hospital, please prepare the following for the medical staff:

• Note the exact time the hand weakness and chest pain started.

• Record a short video of the child's abnormal hand movements or grip.

• Write down the exact times and dosages of the fever reducers you administered.

This combination of symptoms raises the possibility of serious conditions such as meningitis, encephalitis, or other central nervous system infections that require immediate clinical evaluation. Please do not wait until tomorrow morning; take your child to the nearest emergency room right away.

For extra peace of mind and clear guidance when tracking your child's symptoms, the FeverCoach app is always there to help.

fevercoach.us

Apple App Store

Google Play

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