Headaches are a frequently reported symptom among individuals infected with COVID-19. Understanding their general qualities can help in recognizing them alongside other symptoms.
Common Characteristics of a COVID Headache
A COVID headache often presents as a dull, pressing, or throbbing pain. This sensation can feel like a tight band around the entire head, affecting both sides, or it might be more localized, commonly felt in the forehead or behind the eyes. The intensity of these headaches can vary, ranging from moderate to severe.
The pain associated with a COVID headache frequently worsens with physical activity, coughing, or bending over. Many individuals also report heightened sensitivity to light, known as photophobia, and sensitivity to sound, called phonophobia.
Distinguishing Features from Other Headaches
COVID headaches have distinguishing characteristics. Unlike typical tension headaches, which might feel like a vice around the head, COVID headaches are often accompanied by systemic symptoms like fever and body aches, which are usually absent in regular tension headaches. The persistence of a COVID headache can also set it apart, as it may linger for days or weeks, unlike a tension headache that might resolve more quickly.
When compared to migraines, COVID headaches can present with throbbing pain and sensitivities to light and sound, similar to migraine symptoms. However, COVID headaches typically affect both sides of the head, whereas migraines are often one-sided. Additionally, a COVID headache is part of an infectious process, often appearing with other systemic viral symptoms, while migraines are considered a primary headache disorder. Sinus headaches typically involve pressure and pain in the forehead, cheeks, and nose, often worsening when bending forward, and are usually accompanied by nasal congestion. While COVID can cause pain around the forehead and eyes, a COVID headache generally presents as a more generalized pressure without the distinct nasal symptoms of a sinus infection.
Associated Symptoms
A COVID headache rarely occurs in isolation and is frequently accompanied by a range of other symptoms. Fatigue and body aches are commonly reported alongside the headache. Individuals may also experience fever or chills.
A sore throat and cough are also frequent companions to the headache. A notable symptom often linked with COVID-19 headaches is the loss of taste (ageusia) or smell (anosmia). Some people might also experience gastrointestinal issues like nausea or diarrhea. Additionally, a feeling of “brain fog,” characterized by difficulty concentrating or thinking clearly, can also occur with the headache.
Typical Progression and Duration
COVID headaches commonly appear early in the course of the illness. For many individuals, these headaches typically last for a few days, with one study suggesting an average duration of about four days. The intensity of the headache can fluctuate, sometimes worsening in the evening.
While many headaches resolve within the acute phase of the illness, some individuals may experience persistent headaches lasting for weeks or even months. This prolonged headache can be a component of what is referred to as “long COVID.” The exact duration of persistent headaches after SARS-CoV-2 infection is still being studied.