
Headache is a potential symptom of COVID-19 and can also occur after getting vaccinated. COVID-19 headaches typically last for a few days, although the duration depends on your age, immune system, and overall health condition.
In mild cases of COVID-19, headaches will usually resolve within a few days. However, in more severe cases, mild or moderate headaches may come and go for up to 90 days.
Doctors report that patients may complain of headache even after testing negative for COVID-19. According to new research, headache is a key COVID-19 symptom that predicts clinical progression of the disease. Headache can occur during the pre-symptomatic and symptomatic stages of COVID-19 and can sometimes mimic tension or migraine headaches.
It is unclear why some people with COVID-19 experience headaches while others do not. Even though studies show that headache is not a common symptom, it affects about 14% of people infected with the virus and appears to be the most reported symptom among people under age 40.
Why does COVID-19 cause headaches?
Your immune system reacts to viruses like the COVID-19 virus by attacking the cells, which can lead to symptoms such as headache.
- Immune cells release proteins called cytokines, which cause inflammation, fever, headache, and fatigue.
- Physical discomfort of coughing and blowing your nose can also lead to headache.
- Anxiety, lack of sleep, inadequate hydration or nutrition, etc. can also contribute to the development of headaches.
Patients infected with COVID-19 have described their headaches as retro-orbital pain accompanied by nausea, light sensitivity, and weakness.
In some cases, headache may not be a symptom of the illness but instead related to another underlying medical condition.
How can I manage headache symptoms with COVID-19?
COVID-19-related headache may be relieved with:
What painkillers can I take for COVID-19 headache?
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), particularly ibuprofen, naproxen, diclofenac, and mefenamic acid, have been shown to be safe and effective in clinical trials of symptomatic headache treatment. Despite recent media reports claiming that certain NSAIDs, most notably ibuprofen, may be linked to worsened COVID-19 symptoms, there is no conclusive scientific evidence that the use of NSAIDs aggravates COVID-19 infection.
In general, NSAIDs are highly effective in treating headaches. Acetaminophen and triptans are also considered safe for treating migraine-like headaches caused by COVID-19. Using steroids, however, for mild headaches can suppress the immune system and make people more susceptible to infections, including COVID-19 infection.
If you are experiencing headache with COVID-19, consult about which pain relievers to take. They will carefully evaluate the use of steroids and determine the dosage and duration in your case following treatment standards. To lessen the risk of infection, it is now suggested that the number of days on steroid medication be reduced.
What are other symptoms COVID-19?
The most common COVID-19 symptoms are fever, tiredness, and a dry cough.
According to some studies, COVID-19 may have more than 20 symptoms. Of course, having one or more of these symptoms does not guarantee you have COVID-19, as they can be caused by other illnesses. However, these symptoms have been reported more frequently by people who tested positive for the virus:
- Fever (mild to moderate)
- Chills or shivers
- Persistent cough
- Anosmia (loss of smell)
- Dysgeusia (loss of taste)
- Headache (mild to moderate and similar to migraine in rare cases)
- Fatigue (unusual tiredness)
- Sore throat
- Brain fog (sudden confusion, especially in older people)
- Skin rashes
- Changes in the mouth or tongue (dry mouth, fungal infection, oral thrush), swelling in the mouth, and ulcers on the tongue or inner surface of the mouth and lips
- Red and sore fingers or toes (chilblains appearing as reddish and purplish bumps on the fingers or toes, as well as on the palms)
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain or tightness
- Muscle pain
- Change in voice
- Diarrhea
- Food aversions
- Abdominal pain
- Runny nose
- Sneezing
If you exhibit 7 or more of these symptoms, you may need to isolate yourself.
Latest Coronavirus News
Daily Health News
Health Solutions From Our Sponsors
Uygun Ö, Ertas M, Ekizoglu E, Bolay H, Özge A, Kocasoy Orhan E, Çagatay AA, Baykan B. Headache characteristics in COVID-19 pandemic-a survey study. J Headache Pain. 2020 Oct 13;21(1):121. https://thejournalofheadacheandpain.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s10194-020-01188-1
Belvis R. Headaches During COVID-19: My Clinical Case and Review of the Literature. Headache. 2020;60(7):1422-1426. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7273035/
Medical News Today. Can COVID-19 cause headaches? https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/covid-headache
Healthline. Is a Headache a Common Symptom of COVID-19? https://www.healthline.com/health/is-headache-a-sign-of-coronavirus
Top How Long Does Headache Last With COVID-19 Related Articles
Can COVID-19 Leave Lingering Symptoms?
Nearly 80 percent of people infected with COVID-19 experience one or more lingering symptoms post-recovery.Coronavirus COVID-19 Prevention: Test Your Medical IQ
What's really the best way to prevent the spread of new coronavirus COVID-19? Should wear a mask or not? Take this quiz to find out!Coronavirus: How COVID-19 Affects Your Body
By now, everyone knows about COVID-19. But do you know how it can affect your body?COVID-19 Vaccine Myths and Facts Quiz
The FDA has granted Emergency Use Authorizations for COVID-19 vaccines that have been shown to be safe and effective as established by data from large clinical trials.Headache
Headaches can be divided into two categories: primary headaches and secondary headaches. Migraine headaches, tension headaches, and cluster headaches are considered primary headaches. Secondary headaches are caused by disease. Headache symptoms vary with the headache type. Over-the-counter pain relievers provide short-term relief for most headaches.
Headaches Quiz
If you're plagued with headaches, our Headaches Quiz may help you identify causes, triggers, symptoms, and treatments for headache pain caused by different types of headaches such as migraines, sinus, cluster, tension, or stress.How Do COVID-19 Vaccines Work?
Around 150 vaccines were in various stages of development across the globe as of mid December 2020; many had completed the Phase III clinical trials, a final step leading to approval by governments around the world. Full approval is not necessary to start distributing promising vaccines; the US FDA granted the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine an emergency use authorization (EUA) in December. Bell's palsy, a facial nerve problem, and allergic reaction were rare but possible side effects of the first vaccine, but their connection to the medication was unclear as of late 2020.How Do the COVID-19 Coronavirus Tests Work?
Tests used for detection of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) may use two methods to detect SARS-CoV-2 virus, the cause of COVID-19 disease, a debilitating and potentially deadly viral pneumonia. Genomic or molecular detection confirms the presence of viral DNA. The immunoglobulin or serology tests can tell whether or not you have been exposed to coronavirus, but not whether you are currently infected. Both tests administered in tandem can give you your complete COVID-19 infection status.Is It Normal to Have Side Effects After the Second COVID-19 Vaccine?
As with any immunization, it is normal to have side effects after receiving your COVID-19 vaccine, irrespective of the dose.How to Differentiate Between the Signs and Symptoms of COVID-19, Allergies, Cold, and Flu?
Coronavirus disease or COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2. Most people with COVID-19 will experience a mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without the need for intensive or special treatment. Serious illness is more likely in elderly people and those with underlying medical conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, and cancer.The Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine
The Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine has emergency authorization from the FDA for active immunization to prevent COVID-19 in individuals 18 and older. The vaccine uses a new technology; synthetic mRNA directs the body to create harmless virus proteins to train your body to develop coronavirus antibodies.What Could Headache Be a Sign of?
Medically, headache is not a sign; it is a symptom. It can occur as a separate entity (primary headache) or as a symptom of various underlying conditions (secondary headache).What Drugs May Fight COVID-19? Drug Trials, Treatments, Vaccines
What drugs could help fight coronavirus COVID-19? Clinical studies are ongoing for antiviral drugs like hydroxychloroquine, chloroquine remdesivir, lopinavir and favipiravir, as well as COVID-19 vaccines. Learn why anti-flu respiratory drugs and home remedies may prove useful to treat or prevent serious coronavirus infections.What Is the COVID-19 Antigen Test?
What is the COVID-19 antigen test? Learn what the rapid antigen test is used for, how it works, and what the pros and cons are.COVID-19 (Coronavirus, 2019-nCoV)
Infection with COVID-19 (2019 novel coronavirus, 2019-nCoV) causes respiratory problems in humans. Transmission of COVID-19 occurs mainly through contact with respiratory sections from an infected person, however, fecal contamination may also spread the virus. Symptoms start off flu-like and progress to coughing, fever, shortness of breath, shaking chills, headache, loss of sense of taste and/or smell, muscle pain, and sore throat. Treatment focuses on supportive care and symptom relief. COVID-19 vaccines are available.