Headaches are a common symptom of COVID-19 infection, affecting many individuals. While various causes lead to headaches, understanding the specific characteristics of a COVID-19 headache can be helpful. Recognizing distinct patterns can offer insight during illness.
Defining the COVID-19 Headache
A COVID-19 headache often presents with moderate to severe intensity. Individuals frequently describe the pain as a pressure or tightening sensation, sometimes feeling like a band around the head. The discomfort can also manifest as a throbbing or pulsing pain, or a dull ache. This pain affects both sides of the head (bilateral) or is diffuse, spreading across a larger area. Common locations include the forehead, temples, and behind the eyes.
The headache may also involve sensations of pressure at the base of the skull. The pain intensifies with head movement, coughing, or physical activity for some. COVID-19 headaches can resemble migraines, leading to heightened sensitivity to light and sound, or even nausea and vomiting. Mechanisms involve the body’s immune response, leading to inflammation, or the virus’s direct impact on neurological pathways, such as the trigeminal nerve.
Distinguishing It from Other Headaches
Differentiating a COVID-19 headache from other common types, such as tension or migraine headaches, can be challenging due to overlapping symptoms. A COVID-19 headache shares characteristics with a tension headache, like a pressing or tightening sensation across both sides of the head. However, COVID-related headaches can be more severe or less responsive to over-the-counter pain relievers.
Compared to migraines, COVID-19 headaches can mimic the throbbing pain and sensitivity to light and sound. A difference is that COVID-19 headaches are bilateral, unlike classic migraines which are unilateral. COVID-19 headaches are a secondary symptom of an infection, occurring alongside other systemic signs of illness, whereas primary migraines do not present with fever or widespread body symptoms.
Common Accompanying Symptoms
COVID-19 headaches rarely occur in isolation and are accompanied by other symptoms. Common companions include fever, fatigue, and widespread body aches or muscle pain. Many individuals also report a loss of taste or smell, which can be a distinguishing feature of the infection.
Other symptoms include a sore throat, runny nose, and sneezing. Respiratory issues such as a cough or shortness of breath are also common. Some people experience confusion or dizziness alongside their headache.
Typical Duration and Progression
The onset of a COVID-19 headache is sudden and can be one of the earliest symptoms. For many, it may even be the initial indicator of infection. The duration of a COVID-19 headache can vary widely, but it resolves within a few days to one or two weeks.
While many headaches clear up with other acute symptoms, some individuals experience prolonged headaches that can persist for weeks, months, or even longer, becoming part of long COVID. The severity of the headache may fluctuate throughout the illness, sometimes worsening gradually. Younger individuals and those with a history of migraines or a loss of taste or smell are more susceptible to longer-lasting headaches.
When to Seek Medical Guidance
While many COVID-19 headaches are manageable at home, certain signs warrant prompt medical attention. Individuals should seek immediate care if they experience a sudden and severe headache, often described as a “thunderclap” headache. This also applies if the headache is accompanied by new confusion, difficulty speaking, significant vision changes, or symptoms such as a stiff neck, weakness, or drowsiness.
Emergency warning signs include trouble breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, an inability to wake or stay awake, or if lips, nail beds, or skin appear bluish or gray. Consult a healthcare provider if the headache becomes debilitating, does not improve with over-the-counter remedies, or if you have underlying health conditions increasing your risk for severe illness.