What Does a COVID Headache Feel Like? Symptoms and Treatments

What Does a COVID Headache Feel Like?

Headaches are one of the many possible symptoms of COVID-19. COVID headaches can feel different from your average headache. Understanding the unique characteristics of a coronavirus headache can help identify it.

Severity of COVID Headaches

COVID headaches tend to be moderate to severe in intensity. Many describe the pain as feeling like a migraine or sinus headache. The pain may throb or feel like pressure building up.

On a pain scale of 1 to 10, COVID headaches are often ranked as a 5 or higher. The pain can become debilitating and make it hard to concentrate on daily tasks.

Location of Pain

The location of COVID headache pain may include:

• All over the head
• The forehead or behind the eyes
• The back and top of the head
• The temples and sides of the head

While headaches typically affect both sides of the head, some people report the pain being more isolated to one side or region like the sinus area.

Nature of the Pain

Those suffering from COVID headaches often use words like pulsating, throbbing, stabbing, and shooting to describe the pain. It may feel sharp and piercing rather than just pressurized.

Some experience migraine-like symptoms with the headaches like sensitivity to light and sound. The pain can worsen with movement or straining.

Duration of COVID Headaches

In many cases, COVID headaches are persistent and can last for hours or even days on end. The headaches may come and go with symptom fluctuations.

Even mild physical or mental exertion can prolong coronavirus headaches or cause them to rebound after fading.

Onset of Headaches

Headaches often appear early on in the course of COVID-19 illness, even in mild cases. They may be one of the first noticeable symptoms.

However, headaches can also begin later during the initial infection or after other symptoms like fever, cough, and fatigue set in first.

Associated Symptoms

COVID headaches may accompany other common COVID symptoms like:

• Fever
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Congestion
• Shortness of breath
• Nausea or diarrhea
• Loss of taste and smell
• Body aches and chills
• Fatigue

Those with milder cases may only experience headache, fatigue and sore throat. More severe infections bring on multiple symptoms.

Difference from Typical Headaches

While some characteristics may be similar, COVID headaches tend to differ from regular tension headaches, migraines, and sinus headaches in some ways:

• More severe and debilitating pain
• More persistent and long-lasting duration
• Associated with other COVID-19 symptoms
• Abrupt and sudden onset
• May linger after acute infection

The connection with COVID infection and other symptoms can help distinguish coronavirus headaches from other types. However, headaches alone should not be used to diagnose COVID-19.

Causes of COVID-19 Headaches

Experts are still researching the mechanisms behind COVID headaches. Some hypothesized causes include:

Inflammation

The immune system reacting to the virus causes inflammation throughout the body, including in the head and neck areas. This can put pressure on surrounding pain receptors and nerves.

Low Oxygen

COVID-related breathing issues may lower oxygen supply to the brain, leading to headaches. Hypoxia, or low oxygen in the blood, is linked to headaches.

Dehydration and Nutrient Loss

Fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and poor intake can lead to dehydration and loss of nutrients like magnesium that may trigger headaches or make them worse.

Stress and Anxiety

Worry, fear, and emotional distress related to having COVID can increase muscle tension, leading to stress headaches.

Neurological Effects

In some severe cases, the virus may directly invade and inflame the brain tissue contributing to headaches. The cytokines released during inflammation may also play a role.

The mechanisms may differ from person to person based on COVID severity and individual risk factors.

When to Seek Medical Care

Most mild-to-moderate COVID headaches can be managed at home. But contact your doctor if you experience:

• Sudden, severe headache along with fever and neck stiffness
• New severe headache pain unlike previous headaches
• Headache with altered mental state or confusion
• Headache not improving after 10 days
• Headaches along with seizures, double vision, or weakness
• Headaches in children under 12 years old

Severe headaches that do not respond to over-the-counter medications or that are accompanied by worrying neurologic symptoms could indicate complications that need prompt medical care.

Treatments for COVID Headaches

These self-care remedies may help manage COVID headache symptoms at home:

Rest and Limit Stimulation

Get extra rest and limit physical and mental activity that worsens headaches. Keep cool, quiet, and dimly lit rooms.

Hydrate Frequently

Drink water, coconut water, herbal tea, and electrolyte drinks to stay hydrated. Dehydration worsens headaches.

Try Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers

Medications like acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and naproxen sodium can treat mild-to-moderate headache pain. Follow dosage instructions.

Use Cold Compresses

Applying cold packs or ice wrapped in cloth to the head and neck area can have a numbing effect to dull pain.

Massage Pressure Points

Massaging temples, base of skull, and upper neck may relieve headache pressure caused by tension.

Manage Nausea and Sinus Pain

Relieve associated nausea, vomiting or sinus pressure with mint, ginger, anti-nausea medication, saline spray, humidifiers, and nasal decongestants.

Try Essential Oils

Some people find headache relief from applying diluted peppermint, lavender, and eucalyptus oils to the temples and inhaling the vapors.

Practice Relaxation Techniques

Relaxing activities like meditation, gentle stretches, breathing exercises, and calming music may alleviate stress contributing to headaches.

Prescription medications like triptans or ergots may be options for severe migraine-like COVID headaches that dont respond to other measures. Discuss medication options with your doctor.

Preventing COVID Headaches

Proactively warding off a potential headache during COVID-19 illness can help reduce incidence and severity. Try these proactive tips:

Control Fever

Keeping the fever down and staying well hydrated can prevent headaches. Use cooling measures and acetaminophen for fever control.

Avoid Dehydration

Drink ample fluids to avoid becoming dehydrated from fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and poor intake while sick.

Take Supplements

Supplements like vitamin C, zinc, magnesium, and B-complex may help reduce inflammation, strengthen immunity, and improve headaches.

Open Nasal Passages

Clearing nasal congestion with humidifiers and nasal sprays may prevent sinus pressure headaches. Perform steam inhalation.

Monitor Oxygen Levels

Use a pulse oximeter to ensure oxygen remains adequate. Low oxygen often contributes to headaches.

Manage Stress and Anxiety

Practice relaxation techniques to lower stress and muscle tension that can lead to headaches.

Get Plenty of Rest

Prioritize getting extra sleep and avoiding overexertion to help prevent headaches triggered by fatigue and strain.

Long-Term COVID Headache Concerns

While most acute COVID headaches resolve within a few days to weeks, some people experience persistence of symptoms:

• Headaches lasting over a month after initial infection
• Chronic migraines following COVID-19
• Daily or frequent tension headaches
• Exercise-triggered headaches after recovery

Studies show about 25% of patients report headaches beyond 6 months. Underlying inflammation, neurological changes, and persistent muscle tension may play a role.

See your doctor if COVID headaches remain frequent or severe for more than a month after acute infection. You may need imaging, referral to neurology, or treatments to prevent chronic headaches.

Post-COVID Headache Treatment

For stubborn headaches that linger long after overcoming COVID, doctors may recommend:

• Medications like amitriptyline, propranolol, or ajovy for prevention
• Reviews of all current medications that may contribute
• Physical therapy for neck muscle tension
• Supplements like CoQ10, magnesium, vitamin B2
• Relaxation techniques and cognitive behavioral therapy for anxiety
• Nerve blocks or Botox injections for pain relief

Consuming an anti-inflammatory diet, staying well hydrated, managing stress, and getting quality sleep also helps minimize headaches.

The Bottom Line

Headaches are a prevalent symptom of COVID-19. Typical characteristics of a coronavirus headache include moderate-to-severe throbbing pain, persistent duration, and association with other COVID symptoms like fever, fatigue, and loss of taste.

While uncomfortable, COVID headaches tend to be manageable with over-the-counter medications, cold compresses, rest, hydration, and relaxation techniques in mild cases. Seek medical attention if very severe, if neurological symptoms develop, or if headaches dont improve after 10 days.

Some may experience post-COVID headaches that last weeks to months after initial recovery. Work closely with your doctor for treatment and prevention if headaches become an ongoing issue after coronavirus infection.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.