title: [When should a patient with headaches be referred to the emergency ward?].
abstract: Secondary headaches are rare though potentially severe. A systematic search of red flags helps to suspect headaches of secondary origin that require further urgent investigation. Main red flags are: sudden onset, exceptionally severe headache, new headache in patient over 50, vomiting or syncope, focal neurological sign or neck stiffness, recent trauma, uncommon headache during pregnancy or anticoagulant therapy, suspicion of glaucoma.
authors.affiliation: Service de médecine interne générale, Département de médecine interne, HUG, 1211 Genève 14. phil.morel@hcuge.ch
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Morel
authors.forename: Olivier
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Rutschmann
authors.forename: Cécile
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Delémont
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000465:Algorithms; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000009:adverse effects; D006259:Craniocerebral Trauma / Q000150:complications; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D005260:Female; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D006261:Headache / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008580:Meningism / Q000209:etiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000592:standards*; D012307:Risk Factors; D013575:Syncope / Q000209:etiology; D014839:Vomiting / Q000209:etiology
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants