Yes, headaches were a very common symptom of COVID-19 in 2022 and continued to be a key indicator, often appearing alongside other symptoms like fatigue, sore throat, fever, and cough, as various variants circulated. Health authorities like the CDC and WHO listed headaches as a frequent sign, sometimes alongside new cold-like symptoms such as runny nose or sneezing.
COVID headache is usually moderate to strong, and it often feels like it's tightening or pressing. But people with COVID headaches may have different types of pain. A COVID headache may feel similar to a tension headache or a migraine.
According to some reports , there may be tell-tale symptoms with the latest ones - a hoarse voice or a "razor blade" sore throat. Covid can still cause a wide range of symptoms, including headache, coughing, a blocked or running nose and exhaustion, making it difficult to distinguish from a cold or flu.
When to seek medical advice. Get emergency medical care if your headache: Is sudden and severe or the "worst headache ever" Is accompanied by a fever, nausea or vomiting not related to a known illness. Is accompanied by a stiff neck, rash, confusion, seizures, double vision, weakness, numbness or difficulty speaking.
Common New COVID Variant Symptoms in 2025
Some people may have symptoms that get worse about 5 to 7 days after symptoms start. Most people with COVID-19 have mild to moderate symptoms. But COVID-19 can cause serious medical complications and lead to death. Older adults and people who already have medical conditions are at greater risk of serious illness.
Symptom check: Is it COVID-19 or a cold? COVID-19 symptoms usually start 2 to 14 days after exposure to SARS-CoV-2. But symptoms of a common cold usually appear 1 to 3 days after exposure to a cold-causing virus. There's no cure for the common cold.
10 Medical Symptoms You Should Never Ignore
Seek immediate medical attention if you're experiencing the worst headache you've ever had, lose vision or consciousness, have uncontrollable vomiting, or if your headache lasts more than 72 hours with less than 4 hours pain-free.
The "5 Cs of headaches" typically refer to common dietary migraine triggers: Cheese (aged), Chocolate, Coffee (caffeine), Cola (sugary/caffeinated drinks), and Citrus fruits, though some sources mention Claret (red wine) instead of cola or citrus, with the concept highlighting foods that can induce severe headaches in sensitive individuals, though scientific consensus varies on their universal impact. Another interpretation, less common, describes migraine symptoms as Crescendo, Crushing, Cranial, Consistent, and Cyclical, notes Bali International Hospital.
A pre-stroke headache, often a "thunderclap headache," feels like the sudden, explosive "worst headache of your life," peaking in seconds, potentially with nausea, vomiting, stiff neck, confusion, or vision changes, signaling a medical emergency like a hemorrhagic stroke or TIA (mini-stroke). It's distinct from a gradual migraine, often appearing out of nowhere and accompanied by neurological symptoms like weakness or numbness on one side, difficulty speaking, or balance loss, requiring immediate medical attention (call 911/emergency services).
Unusual COVID-19 symptoms: What are they?
Treatment for COVID headaches may be similar to treatment for other headaches, including over-the-counter pain relievers, like acetaminophen, or NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen.
It's the combination of sodium and caffeine. The sodium helps to regulate blood volume and blood pressure. The soda (any caffeine, really) helps to vasoconstrict the blood vessels—which can help alleviate the headache. There is a fine line with caffeine bc too much can also cause a headache to worsen.
Headache is a common accompaniment of systemic viral infections such as influenza. It is also common with sepsis. More rarely it may accompany other systemic infections. In intracranial infections, headache is usually the first and the most frequently encountered symptom.
Symptoms of COVID-19
Key Takeaways
COVID headaches may last for hours and can keep coming back for weeks or months. People with long COVID can experience headaches for more than six months. COVID headaches are similar to migraines and tension headaches and may also include symptoms such as dizziness, fatigue, and brain fog.
We review the following red flags: (1) systemic symptoms including fever; (2) neoplasm history; (3) neurologic deficit (including decreased consciousness); (4) sudden or abrupt onset; (5) older age (onset after 65 years); (6) pattern change or recent onset of new headache; (7) positional headache; (8) precipitated by ...
Treatment might include:
Five key signs your brain might be in trouble include significant memory loss (forgetting important things or familiar routines), difficulty with everyday tasks, confusion about time/place, problems with language/communication, and noticeable personality or mood changes, such as increased irritability or loss of interest in hobbies, which signal potential cognitive decline or neurological issues.
Sudden or severe dizziness, confusion and/or clumsiness
The important words here are “sudden” or “severe.” If any of these symptoms come on suddenly or are severe, call 911 or head to an ER: Clumsiness, loss of balance or fainting. Difficulty speaking or trouble understanding speech.
Generally Unwell Symptom Checker
The COVID virus has more success surviving on hard surfaces, such as glass and plastic, than on porous ones like bedding. Once the virus lands on a porous material like a fabric, the droplets evaporate much quicker than they do on a hard surface.
The most common symptoms of RSV include:
Sneezing can be a symptom of COVID-19. It was originally thought to be a much rarer symptom. It has since become more common with newer COVID-19 variants and in vaccinated people who contract the virus. 1 Even so, the common cold and allergies are a more likely cause of sneezing.