My husband has had severe headache for five days with multiple lumps forming on head and neck.

Headaches that last: Headaches can be either transient, minutes to hours, or more chronic, as over the course of days. Duration of a headache is important in knowing the cause, as is the nature of the headache (pressure, pounding). Systemic problems related to infection and medication side effects can cause headaches and should be evaluated by a health care provider. Acute changes require more urgent attention.