Blinding headache and feeling of nausea - virus?

[Storytown]

DH has been in bed for 2 days, complaining of headache and nausea, although he hasn't had any actual vomiting. It's the kind of thing that could be described as "man flu" and it might be suggested that he's making a bit of a meal of it BUT he really doesn't do this, ever. I can't remember the last time he had a day off sick (he's on hols today) and generally speaking he's the one who looks after the rest of us when we're ill.

He has literally been in a darkened room for 48 hours. Eaten nothing, sipping water when I make him. Has taken some pain killers.

Should I be doing anything else for him.

DS2 had a couple of days complaining of headache and nausea, was off his food a bit but never debilitated to this extent. My friend's DS, who spent Christmas with us, is complaining of the same thing too.

Sounds more like a migraine to me - a headache that bad in someone who has never had a migraine would probably make me call 111 for advice, tbh. Has he got a temperature? Sounds horrible, whatever it is!

Thanks, yes I'm getting quite worried now.

He's out of bed, came down and made a cup of tea, which is progress but less than 20 mins later he's asleep in the chair.

No temperature.

I had these symptoms last weekend. Ended up in A&E with suspected meningitis. It was only a virus, but it took til Boxing Day to go completely. Hope he feels better soon. I found paracetamol and ibuprofen together worked.

I think you need to call 111 and get some advice. You can't rule out meningitis based upon what you have posted, though it is more likely something less sinister.

We had this virus about a month ago. It takes about 5 days to a week to get over and is nasty. We had exactly the same symptoms. Hope he feels better soon.

Take him to ooh if you can or a+e if no ooh service locally. I don't want to worry you but with those symptoms it may well be something serious, meningitis has already been mentioned but my DM had similar symptoms, called an ambulance who said she had a severe migraine. It turned out to be a sub arachnoid haemorrhage.

Best to get it checked just in case as prompt treatment if it is meningitis or SAH can be life saving.

How is he today?