Q: My son bumped his head, is unusually quiet, and has a mild fever. Should we go to the ER?
Updated: 4 days ago
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 11-year-old son fell and bumped the side of his head against a wall while playing at school. There is a thumb-sized swelling above his ear with a visible red mark. He mentioned his head hurt at school. Now that he is home, my usually energetic and loud child is very quiet, says he feels tired, and complained of being cold. I checked his temperature, and it is 37.8–37.9°C. Can a concussion cause a fever? I gave him a fever reducer and am monitoring him. He hasn't vomited at all. Should we go to the hospital?
Answer:
It is completely understandable to be concerned about your child's symptoms following a head injury. Whenever a child experiences head trauma and displays unusual behavior—such as being uncharacteristically quiet and fatigued—along with a mild fever, careful observation is absolutely necessary.
While a mild fever (37.8–37.9°C) can sometimes occur after a minor trauma or due to the body's stress response, the change in his behavior is a more significant clinical sign that requires your attention.
When to visit the Emergency Room immediately:
• His consciousness becomes clouded, or he is unusually slow to respond.
• He starts vomiting or complains of a worsening, severe headache.
• He has difficulty walking, loses coordination, or cannot maintain his balance.
• His pupils are different sizes, or he complains of blurry or double vision.
Current Action Plan:
• Right now: Check on your child every 15 to 20 minutes to ensure he responds normally when you call his name.
• Overnight: Gently wake him every 2 to 3 hours tonight to check his level of consciousness and ensure he can easily be roused.
• Tomorrow: If his symptoms (such as lethargy, quietness, or fever) persist into the morning, you must take him to see a doctor for a proper neurological evaluation.
Head injuries require close monitoring for at least 48 hours. Trust your parental intuition—if you feel that his condition is vastly different from his usual self, it is highly recommended to visit the emergency room right away for a comprehensive in-person assessment.
For extra peace of mind and clear guidance when tracking your child's symptoms, the FeverCoach app is always there to help.
