Coronavirus: How is a COVID headache different from other headaches?

Headache is one of the common signs of coronavirus infection. People who suffer from COVID headaches report it as an unusual, excruciating, sometimes one-sided headache which can make it difficult to function.

However, headaches are also commonly seen with a viral infection, cold, sinusitis and allergies- which can make it even more confusing to recognize, as a typical COVID sign or not. Mild headaches can also be caused by stress, excessive screentime or poor sleep.

However, new research has identified there are some specific signs particular to a COVID associated headache, and not caused by any other reason.

Headaches have been reported both in the early and late stages of infection by patients.

From inflammation caused by viral replication in the body to the onset of debilitating fever, headache can be caused by more than one reason with COVID. It can also be a sign of severe infection if it persists for longer.

The study, which has been conducted by a team of researchers from Istanbul University, Turkey surveyed a total of 3196 patients who did not have COVID and another 262 patients who were found to be COVID positive. All of them complained of headache as a sign of trouble.

Based on the analysis, here are some typical signs of COVID-related headache you should be watching out for

For more than 10% of patients, headaches which last beyond the 72-hour duration was a tell-tale sign of COVID. This is because headaches, as a symptom of other causative factors very rarely last for this long, or usually begins to subside.

Doctors now attest that any pain, headache or myalgia (muscle pain) which lasts for longer than 48-72 hours should be checked out at once.

Some COVID patients may also experience tension headaches, brought on by extreme bouts of coughing, fever or chills. Patients also report the 72-hour window to be the minimum duration their headaches could last.

Strangely, the one thing that could distinguish COVID-headache from other forms of headache is the symptom progression. While usual headaches rarely disturb the gut balance, in cases of a novel coronavirus, a headache, usually also taken as a sign of nerve inflammation could impair one's senses (leading to a loss of sense of smell and taste) and also cause gastrointestinal complaints, such as cramps, nausea, fatigue, exhaustion and appetite loss.

While there is no clear link between gastrointestinal complaints and headache, researchers have found them to be a common complication suffered by COVID patients. Therefore, it is something to pay attention to and seek assistance at once.

Headaches are resultant of inflammation over-the-counter painkillers and medications help relieve pain and alleviate symptoms.

However, in case of a COVID infection, researchers did find that OTC medications and analgesic medicines offered little relief for people suffering from the symptoms. This, in turn, could be a warning sign of a COVID infection, especially if you do not experience other typical symptoms.

All headaches do not feel the same. In case you suspect a COVID infection, check back to see if you experience a 'throbbing', pulsating sensation in your head. Experts say that the people who suffer from COVID headaches may have severe forms of headache, which could make it difficult to concentrate on work, make a person dizzy. Extreme pain and headache could also be an early sign of the virus's attack on the vital organs including the nervous system.

While many liken headache to be similar to that of a migraine, many also report that headaches caused by COVID-19 can be isolated, feel ‘new’ or unusual. Headaches can also worsen for some when they bend down.

Lastly, according to studies, men have a two times higher risk of experiencing COVID headaches than women do. Analysis from the study group found that men were much more likely to report it as a symptom, meaning there is a great deal of gender disparity when it comes to COVID symptoms.

Again, while there is no scientific proof to this (apart from the fact that men have lesser ACE2-immunity garnering receptors) in their body, this might be a sign to take into concern if you have been in contact with a COVID+ person or suspect signs of worry.