What Does a COVID Headache Feel Like? Symptoms and More
COVID Headache
Up until April 2022, more than 508 million people have COVID-19, a viral illness. It is brought on by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. A wide family of viruses called coronaviruses is responsible for respiratory illnesses.
One of the most prevalent signs of COVID is headaches. One of the top five symptoms of the Omicron variety, according to data from the COVID Symptoms StudyTrusted Source released in December 2021, were headaches, along with:
runny nose
fatigue
sneezing
sore throat
Migraines and tension headaches have been connected to COVID Headaches are frequently one of the first symptoms to manifest.
Most of the time, headaches disappear after a few weeks, but some patients continue to have chronic headaches for several weeks or months after infection.
Learn more about COVID-19 headache symptoms and how to treat them by reading on.
Symptoms of a COVID-19 headache
several studies Headaches are one of the most prevalent neurological signs of COVID-19, according to a reliable source. They typically represent the initial symptom when it manifests. dependable source
However, there are no distinguishing features between headaches brought on by COVID-19 and other headache types.
It’s crucial to pay attention to whether the headache is more severe than usual or if it appears at an odd time rather than as a result of typical stressors.
Most individuals with COVID headaches develop tension headaches that exhibit the following traits:
moderate or severe intensity
pain on both sides of the head
pulsing or pressing feeling
pain around the forehead, sides of the head, or around the eyes
poor responses to over-the-counter (OTC) medications
One in four individuals with COVID-19 headaches also suffer from migraine attacks. Even those without a history of migraines are susceptible to these headaches.
Migraine may result in:
pain, usually on one side of the head
throbbing or pulsing pain
sensitivity to light, sound, smell, or touch
nausea and vomiting
Those with COVID-19 who experience headaches also frequently:
fever
sore throat
loss of taste
loss of smell
muscle aches
According to a 2022 studyTrusted Source, of the 288 COVID-19 patients, 22.2% experienced neurological symptoms. 69.1% of them started experiencing headaches.
Typically, headaches lasted seven days. In 18% of those who experienced headaches, they persisted for more than 30 days, and in 10% for more than 3 months.
Another 2022 investigation
According to Trusted Source, half of the 905 individuals who suffered COVID-19 headaches did so for more than two weeks.
How long does COVID headache last?
The COVID-19 headache often only lasts a few days and disappears along with the other symptoms, although it can linger for weeks or months after the acute infection. More research is required as the causes of this are still unknown.
The COVID-19-related headaches typically start out suddenly and develop worse over the course of the day. These headaches are intermittent, meaning they come and go at random times. Hours to days may pass between these times.
According to some studies, COVID-19 headache sufferers are more likely to experience COVID-19 for a shorter period of time.