Which condition is associated with headache, fever, and elevated ESR?

Giant cell arteritis is characterized by inflammation of the blood vessels, particularly the temporal arteries. This condition often presents with symptoms such as headaches, fever, and an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), which is indicative of systemic inflammation. The presence of these symptoms aligns with the typical clinical picture of giant cell arteritis.

Elevated ESR is significant here, as it helps in assessing the level of inflammation in the body. The headache associated with giant cell arteritis is often described as new-onset and can be severe, while fever indicates an inflammatory process.

In contrast, fibromyalgia is primarily a chronic pain disorder and does not typically present with elevated ESR or fever. Migraines and tension headaches are also not associated with elevated ESR or fever, as they are not inflammatory conditions but rather involve different mechanisms. Therefore, when considering the combination of headache, fever, and elevated ESR, giant cell arteritis stands out as the primary condition associated with these findings.