Headache is one of the most common neurological symptoms (neurological symptoms refer to symptoms relating to the brain, nerves, or spinal cord), with most people experiencing a headache at some point in their lives. There are many causes of headaches, and while many headaches are mild, temporary, and go away on their own, others can be a sign of a medical condition. 

COVID-19 (or SARS-CoV-2) is one example of a medical condition that can cause a headache. A headache caused by COVID-19 can last as long as the person is infected, or can be a symptom of long COVID, lasting many months after contracting the virus. 

There are no clinical guidelines on how to treat a COVID-19 headache, which makes it important to meet with a healthcare provider for a personalized treatment plan. 

This guide from HealthTap goes over everything to know about a headache caused by COVID-19, and makes recommendations for choosing the right healthcare provider for treatment. 

Can COVID-19 cause a headache?

There are two types of headaches: primary and secondary. Secondary headaches are caused by another medical condition, while primary headaches occur on their own. 

A headache caused by coronavirus is a type of secondary headache, which means that the underlying illness must be treated to experience relief. 

Researchers aren’t sure what causes some people to develop headaches during or after being infected with the virus. It’s known that COVID-19 can cross the blood-brain barrier, which can lead to inflammation in the brain. It’s believed that during the immune response, immune cells release cytokines (proteins) leading to inflammation, fever, and possibly a headache. However, the exact mechanism that COVID can lead to headache pain isn’t completely clear.  

In rare cases, COVID-19 can cause meningitis, which is inflammation of the tissues that surround the brain and spinal cord. This can cause swelling and make the brain press up against the skull, leading to pain. 

A headache can develop during the infection and go away once the person recovers, but in some cases, a headache can be a symptom of long COVID, lasting weeks or months after the initial infection. For long-haulers of COVID, this condition is also commonly accompanied by increased fatigue, memory loss, and brain fog. 

About half of those infected by COVID-19 can go on to develop a headache. However, it’s very rare for symptoms to last more than three months. 

A COVID headache is said to feel similar to a migraine. It is described as moderate or intense throbbing pain. However, unlike migraines that usually cause pain on just one side of the head, COVID headaches are felt in the entire head. A COVID headache can be accompanied by light and sound sensitivity and even nausea and vomiting. 

What are the symptoms of a headache caused by COVID-19?

A COVID headache is described as moderate or severe pain that pulses or throbs. The headache tends to be more severe in the early stages of a COVID-19 infection and gradually subside as time goes on. However, for others, a COVID headache may not be felt until after they have recovered from the virus. 

If someone has a headache caused by COVID-19, they will likely experience other symptoms caused by the virus, including: 

• Fever. 
• Chills.
• Shortness of breath.
• Dry cough (the type that does not produce phlegm).
• Loss of taste or smell.
• Fatigue. 
• Muscle pain or soreness. 
• Sore throat. 
• Nasal congestion. 
• Nausea or vomiting.
• Digestive issues, such as diarrhea. 

Symptoms (including headache) usually appear between 2–14 days after being exposed to the virus. However, some people won’t develop any of the above symptoms, which is called being “asymptomatic.”

Other neurological symptoms of COVID-19

While the most common symptoms of COVID-19 affect the body (most often the lungs), the virus can also cause neurological symptoms. 

In addition to headaches, the neurological symptoms of COVID-19 include brain fog, trouble focusing, dizziness, and vertigo. In serious cases, COVID-19 can lead to meningitis, encephalitis (acute inflammation of the brain), and cerebrovascular disease, such as stroke. 

Loss of taste and smell is also a common symptom that some neurologists think has a neurological basis. In other words, it’s thought that the virus can cause changes in the brain that lead people to lose their sense of taste and smell. 

How long can a headache last in COVID-19?

How long a COVID headache lasts varies from person to person. 

For some, a headache is a symptom that lasts during the peak of infection (about one week) and subsides after recovery. For other people, a headache can linger long after the initial symptoms of the infection and last for up to three months. 

The infection can make the condition worse for those who had a chronic headache disorder before getting COVID-19. For instance, studies show that people with a history of migraines may see an increase in migraine attacks both during and after COVID.

For chronic migraine sufferers, it’s not well-known how long the more severe headaches will last. More research is needed on the relationship between migraines and COVID-19 before making any conclusive statements. 

How to get rid of a COVID headache

There are currently no clinical guidelines outlining specific treatment options for headaches caused by COVID-19. Because COVID headaches manifest in different ways, a healthcare provider has to create a personalized treatment plan for each patient.

That said, there are some tried-and-true treatment approaches for treating a headache — no matter the cause. 

During the actual headache, over-the-counter (OTC) medications can provide relief by reducing inflammation or just easing some of the pain. These include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like Advil (ibuprofen) or Bayer Aspirin (aspirin), as well as pain relievers like Tylenol (acetaminophen).

Some formulations may also contain small doses of caffeine, which has been shown to reduce some pain caused by headaches. If headaches are accompanied by symptoms like nausea, then an anti-nausea medication can be helpful, too. 

It’s important to not take painkillers too often as this can lead to a medication overuse headache, a condition in which headaches get worse from using painkillers too often. 

Practices like yoga and meditation can also be helpful. While there needs to be more research on how these practices affect headaches caused by COVID-19, studies show both yoga and meditation to be effective in relieving the symptoms of other headache types. 

Lifestyle interventions such as eating an anti-inflammatory diet and getting plenty of high-quality sleep have also been shown to improve headache symptoms. 

It’s possible for those with COVID headaches to experience other symptoms, too, such as problems with sleep, increased forgetfulness, or extreme fatigue. These symptoms often require additional medications to treat, which can’t always be combined with medications used to treat headaches. 

This is why it’s important to seek the help of a healthcare provider to develop a personalized treatment plan that can help address all the symptoms caused by COVID-19. 

How to prevent COVID headaches 

The best way to prevent a headache caused by the COVID-19 pandemic is to get vaccinated. A vaccination series that includes booster shots when needed can significantly reduce all symptoms of the virus, including headaches. 

For some people, the vaccine itself can trigger a headache. However, like with most side effects of a COVID-19 vaccine, that headache will only last one or two days, and should go away without treatment. 

Getting vaccinated has been shown to increase migraine frequency in people with pre-existing migraines. However, this is generally a temporary side effect of the vaccine, with benefits that outweigh getting infected with COVID-19. 

Due to limited data, there are no definitive guidelines for preventing headaches caused by COVID-19. However, as with other types of headaches, it can help to lead a generally healthy lifestyle. Everything that can be done to improve general health can also be viewed as a strategy to prevent headaches of any type.

Some of the most important of these lifestyle factors include getting plenty of high-quality sleep, reducing emotional stress, and eating a nutrient-rich diet. It is also incredibly important to avoid smoking, as this habit can lead to problems with blood vessels. 

Takeaways 

For some people, a COVID headache can start during infection and subside after recovery. For others, COVID headaches can be a symptom of long COVID and last up to three months, if not longer. For those with a history of headaches, getting the virus could make their headaches worse.

If you developed a persistent headache after getting COVID-19, then a personalized treatment approach can help. 

HealthTap can connect you with a low-cost healthcare provider to get you personalized medical advice and a tailored treatment plan. By using our virtual platform, you can get diagnosed and treated from the comfort of your own home.

Make your appointment with a HealthTap provider today.