Some people with COVID-19 have presented with less typical symptoms, including nausea, diarrhea, delirium, chickenpox-like lesions, and more. Remember, all of these findings are based on early and limited data. For many people who become infected, one of the first signs is a bad headache. Terrible stomach cramping or pain. . We know COVID can attack the lungs, heart and brain. A . A growing number of studies have reported headaches as a common neurological manifestation of COVID-19. When a headache gives you the feeling that something's not right, trust your gut either get immediate, urgent care or write down all the details in a headache log, take it to your doctor and start asking questions. Most people who develop headaches related to the virus have whats known as tension-type headaches. Mia Minen, a neurologist and chief of headache research at NYU Langone Health, says it's like "the snap of the finger: 10 out of 10 pain." Avoiding headache triggers and getting adequate rest may help to tame headaches associated with COVID-19. Migraine sometimes develops in people with no previous history. In most people, COVID-19 causes mild or moderate symptoms that can be treated with rest and drinking fluids. Since December 2019, the time when the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was spotted, numerous review studies have been published on COVID-19 and its neuro invasion. Many people will describe a headache as "throbbing" when they really just mean it hurts. Its been a tough few weeks. However, if headaches arise as part of long COVID you may have them for several months after recovery, the agency notes. } ); You can try OTC medications, such as aspirin and acetaminophen . RELATED: For more health news sent right to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter. a headache triggered or made worse by coughing, sneezing or bending down. It's also critical you get immediate care for changes in consciousness such as difficulty waking up, being in a stupor, passing out or having a seizure. If your symptoms are severe, contact your healthcare provider. If you've gotten your shots, you might want to be more vigilant in watching out for this Omicron symptom. In a meta-analysis of 36 studies involving more than 28,000 people, the headache lasted up to two months for one in six people and up to three months for one in 10. Heres how to retrain your brain. And now, the Omicron variant has heightened some of these worries, as this version of the virus is spreading faster than any prior variant and infecting people who are vaccinated or have already had COVID. Milder headaches were less frequently associated with the virus. Changes from motionThis next group of symptoms deserve same-day attention by your primary care provider. He also points out that a sudden, severe headache can also be . What are the symptoms of COVID-19? Even though other non-life-threatening headache syndromes such as migraine or cluster headaches might still usher in the same pain intensity, those tend to build more gradually or may even be preceded by an aura (sensory symptoms such as tingling or spots in your vision). Experts weigh in as Omicron fuels 6th wave, When it comes to long COVID, the treatment playbook is constantly evolving, For Canadians with long COVID-19, recovery remains a heavy burden, What we know so far about getting COVID-19 twice in the age of Omicron, CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices. Headaches that develop several days after the onset of other COVID-19 symptoms could be a sign of a potentially life-threatening condition called cerebral venous thrombosis, per Johns Hopkins Medicine, which are essentially blood clots that disrupt blood flow to the brain, according to a review published in the MayJune 2021 issue of the journal Diabetes & Metabolic Syndrome: Clinical Research & Reviews. Women and younger people seem to be most prone to developing COVID-19 headaches. The most compelling pathological data pertains to microvascular injury, she says. An angiogram done at the University of Virginia Medical Center reveals a patient's cerebral vasculature. Then pain invaded the 54-year-old . Women and younger people may be at higher risk for headaches from COVID-19, according to the November 2021 review in Current Pain and Headache Reports. Those treatments can include prescription medications, massage and mindfulness, depending on the diagnosis. Light or sound sensitivity and nausea or vomiting, on the other hand, occur in less than half of those with a COVID headache. Headaches have been associated with COVID for some time now, and the Omicron variant is no different. Concerns about headaches in my practice have picked up over the past year as we've seen them as a symptom in acute COVID-19 infections and among long-haulers and more recently when news broke about the (very, very few) brain clots linked to the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. All rights reserved. Its likely underreported by hospitalised patients in part because theres so many other symptoms that might be the focus of those patients.. Some data suggest that people who go on to have more severe disease (requiring hospitalization) develop worsening symptoms after day 5 or over the course of the second week, from day 7-10 days. "People have a common misconception that if it feels really bad, you're going to die or something dreadful is always happening, and that's just wrong," Goadsby says. Results: More than 41,000 COVID-19 patients have been included in clinical studies and headache was present in 8%-12% of them. However, in more severe cases, mild or moderate headaches may come and go for up to 90 days. "Even though headaches are a less well-known symptom of COVID-19, they are one of the earliest signs of the disease and more common than the 'classic' symptoms of cough, fever and loss of smell," the researchers at Zoe COVID Study explain on their website. These headaches can occur in people without a history of migraine. Dangerous headaches also tend to have some distinctive features and patterns and they can be hard to ignore. In March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic. Likewise, it's OK to be more guarded about headaches if you're pregnant, over age 50, have disabilities or have suffered recent trauma such as a fall or concussion.As with most things in the human body, it doesn't help to be too rigid when you're thinking about what's "serious enough" to worry about. Q: How do researchers think COVID-19 impacts the brain? They may be having mild symptoms like cough, fatigue, and muscle aches for a few days, and then suddenly experiencing severe shortness of breath, making it almost impossible to fill their lungs with air. After two days during which she was barely able to move from her bed, the Guelph, Ont., woman said her headache mostly disappeared, with just minor pain and sensitivity to light in the days that followed. Researchers have identified five attributes that may signal that pain in your head is the coronavirus. Another review found 10.9 percent of people with COVID-19 in a group of 7,559 reported headaches. There is a remote chance that the Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine could cause a severe allergic reaction. And with Omicron, these classic COVID symptoms are appearing less often, while headache is appearing more frequently. Shutterstock. Read on to find out if you're experiencing any of the unique signs of an Omicron headache. I never ever want to have a headache like that again, she says. General side effects: headache, feeling very tired, muscle aches, nausea, and fever. Kaur N, et al. review of literature published in November 2021 by the journal, review published in the MayJune 2021 issue of the journal, How to Relieve COVID-19 Muscle Aches and Pains, FDA Panel Votes to Make All COVID-19 Shots Bivalent. Primary thunderclap headaches aren't dangerous. We reserve the right to close comments at any time. Its still unclear why COVID-19 causes some people to have headaches, according to Monteith. Another fight for Covid long-haulers: having their pain acknowledged. This version of the virus appears to be more focused on the upper respiratory tractwhich includes your sinusesthan previous variants, Thomas Russo, MD, a professor and chief of infectious disease at the University at Buffalo in New York, told Prevention. (2021). The metatarsophalangeal joint at the base of the big toe is affected most often, accounting for half of cases. According to Clark-Cutaia, people who have not been vaccinated are still often experiencing shortness of breath and a cough with this variant. Congestion or runny nose. It could be that COVID is entering through the nose, and theres inflammation in the nasal cavity. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. A number of home remedies may help you manage your symptoms. I spent it with a cold pack on my head trying to endure the pain of the headache.. It is a priority for CBC to create products that are accessible to all in Canada including people with visual, hearing, motor and cognitive challenges. Its happening to people in their 20s-40s and well as people that are older. A large study found that 4 of every 5 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 had neurological symptoms. For some people, the headache just won't go away long after they're no longer infected. Tension headaches are most common, but about a quarter of people who report headaches experience migraine episodes. How To Pick A Doctor (Or Break Up With One). Summary. The top 20 Covid symptoms, in descending order, according to the data from the Zoe App study are: Sore throat - reported by 58%. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), this variant is currently estimated to account for more than 99 percent of new cases in the U.S. Health . And for another symptom to be aware of, check out This Strange Pain Could Be the First Sign You Have COVID, Study Says. This reaction may lead to neuroinflammation that causes headaches. Do not consider WebMD Blogs as medical advice. RELATED: These 4 New COVID Symptoms Could Mean You Have Omicron, Doctors Warn. Garcia-Azorin D, et al. One of the most important questions they will ask you about the headache is what's making the pain better or worse. What does the spectrum of COVID-19 illness look like? If you don't have one, or can't get a prompt appointment, go to an urgent care clinic. Chakrabarti said if someone develops a new headache in the middle of a rising wave of COVID, it's worth taking a rapid test. You should always speak with your doctor before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your care plan or treatment. Viral infections are a known cause of hearing loss and other kinds of infection.