Headache is a very common early COVID-19 symptom, often appearing alongside fever, cough, fatigue, or loss of smell/taste, but it's not always the first, as symptoms vary, with some people getting sore throat or congestion first, and others having no headache at all, notes Ada Health, while CDC lists it among several possible initial signs, not necessarily the very first.
It's a common symptom, and about half of people with COVID-19 have a COVID headache. A headache is often one of the first symptoms that people with COVID get, and for some people, it may be the only symptom. Usually, a COVID headache is similar to a headache you might get when you're not sick.
Fever or chills. Cough. Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing. Sore throat.
Viral Meningitis. Viral meningitis is an inflammation of your meninges (area around your brain and spinal cord) caused by a virus. The most common causes are enteroviruses and herpes simplex viruses. Symptoms include headache, stiff neck, fever, vomiting and mental changes.
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.
Day 8-10: Symptoms may peak, including high fever and significant respiratory distress. Day 11-12: Plateau of symptoms; monitoring required for any signs of improvement or worsening. Day 13-14: Some individuals may begin to notice gradual improvement, especially if supportive care and treatment are effective.
The symptoms are very similar to symptoms of other illnesses, such as colds and flu. Most people feel better within a few weeks, but it can take longer to recover. For some people, it can be a more serious illness and their symptoms can last longer.
COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
COVID-19 is another viral infection that can cause headache and is often misdiagnosed as flu.
You can't tell if you have COVID-19 or the flu just by symptoms because they overlap so much (cough, fever, fatigue, etc.), so testing is essential to know for sure, especially since early treatment for either virus can prevent severe illness. Get tested with a medical professional using a test that checks for both viruses to get a quick diagnosis and start treatment, as COVID-19 can have unique symptoms like loss of taste/smell and potentially lead to Long COVID.
Think you might be experiencing COVID-19 symptoms? A COVID-19 headache is an essential symptom of an infection with the coronavirus. Usually, it's one of the first symptoms to present itself, together with a fever, a cough, fatigue, and a loss of smell or taste.
Stopping the Spread of COVID-19 to Others
If you have symptoms, regardless of vaccination status, you should stay home and away from others to help prevent others from becoming sick. Stay home unless you need medical care. Don't go to work or school and avoid public places like stores. Stay away from others.
If you tested positive for COVID-19, you can be contagious for 1-2 days before symptoms appear and up to 8-10 days following. Most people spread COVID-19 in the first few days before and after symptoms appear.
Mild COVID-19 means you might have symptoms like a cough, sore throat, or fatigue — but you don't have shortness of breath. Most of the time, people can treat mild COVID infections at home. Some people may need specific COVID treatments, so contact your healthcare team to discuss your options.
It's common for people to experience headaches due to COVID-19. These headaches usually feel slightly different from a regular migraine or tension headache and tend to appear at the beginning of the infection. A headache is one of the most common early symptoms of the coronavirus infection.
Changes in sleep or lack of sleep. Poor posture. Physical activity, such as exercise (exertion headaches). Skipped meals (hunger headache).
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.
COVID-19 symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. The symptoms of a cold may come on gradually, while the flu usually starts abruptly. Below is a chart that may help determine which illness you have. Symptoms can vary widely with each of these illnesses.
COVID vs. Flu
Flu symptoms often come on suddenly and typically include high fever, intense body aches, and severe fatigue. COVID symptoms may start more gradually and are more likely to involve sore throat, congestion, and prolonged fatigue.
You may wonder if a sore throat is still a symptom of COVID-19 or if there are other more prevalent symptoms to look out for. Yes, sore throat and COVID are still closely associated, and a painful throat is often one of the first symptoms.
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.
Headache vs. Migraine Quiz
A headache caused by the flu is often described as a dull, throbbing pain that affects the entire head. Some people may experience more intense pressure around the forehead, temples, or behind the eyes. This type of headache can feel more severe when combined with other flu symptoms like fever and sinus congestion.
Everyone is different, so it's hard to give an exact timeframe. But mild COVID-19 symptoms often go away in 5-10 days. If your symptoms last for more than two weeks, contact your doctor – especially if your symptoms are getting worse instead of better.
COVID-19 dizziness can be one of the early symptoms of an infection with the coronavirus and may last for a few days to several weeks. In some cases, the dizziness can linger on after the original infection with the coronavirus. This situation is called long COVID, in which symptoms can last for weeks to months.
Regular Healthy Walking may help alleviate symptoms and speed up recovery. Therefore, incorporating walking into other physical exercise may reduce COVID-19 symptom severity and speed up COVID-19 recovery.