The covid-19 virus can trigger headaches in some people. It can be diffuse and moderate headaches or true migraine attacks. How do you know if it is a temporary crisis without gravity or a symptom of the coronavirus? How to relieve this symptom?
Migraine, headaches: possible signs of coronavirus
Some patients with covid-19 may experience migraine attacks, which can occur in patients who already have migraines, as well as in people with occasional migraines. However, being a migraine sufferer is not a risk factor for coronavirus viral infection.
The nature of the seizures is very specific to the affected patient. If you tend to have strong migraines, they will probably also be in the event of covid-19. Others instead have so-called ophthalmic migraines which can be favored by a covid-19 infection.
How do you know if it is the coronavirus?
Migraines are very variable from person to person, so it is very difficult to know immediately if it is the coronavirus. Nevertheless, large or small migraines linked to covid-19 often appear suddenly, and have an atypical character, with a certain fluctuance over time, just like periods of fatigue during the day. If in doubt, it is necessary to carry out a screening test quickly, it can be prescribed by teleconsultation.
On the other hand, if you are infected with the virus, other symptoms associated with covid-19, such as fever and body aches, may occur during or after a migraine. On the other hand, the fact of having sore eyes during a migraine, with photophobia in particular, is not an indicator concerning covid-19, just like vomiting and dizziness which can be present during a migraine, without link to covid-19.
Migraines: a persistent symptom after recovery
A certain proportion of patients who have been infected still experience so-called “post-covid” migraines. Indeed, the headaches but also the fatigue can persist even after recovery. This phenomenon called post-covid syndrome can last from several weeks to several months. The duration of these symptoms is highly variable depending on the case, and we still do not know their impact on long-term health.
What should I do if I have a migraine during Covid-19?
Should I get tested for covid-19?
Do you have an atypical migraine, with or without aura (premonitory symptoms), and you wonder if it could be covid-19? The only way to know is to get tested. The ideal is to speak to a doctor as soon as the symptoms appear to find out if he considers it useful to carry out a test. Ideally, the test should be performed very soon after the onset of symptoms.
As we have seen, headaches can be an early symptom of viral infection, without necessarily being accompanied by other manifestations during the first days. It is therefore possible to have a migraine without fever and still be infected with covid-19. Just like you can have a migraine with nausea, unrelated to covid-19. Nevertheless, if it is the coronavirus, the headache will manifest itself almost in all cases with other symptoms.
Treatment of migraine after a positive covid test
If you have migraines and are diagnosed with covid-19, you can continue to take your usual migraine treatments as prescribed by your doctor. Nevertheless, even in the event of a terrible migraine, do not take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, or even aspirin, because instead of relieving your headaches, this could aggravate your symptoms. . You can also continue your migraine prevention treatments, if your doctor approves. Finally, covid-19 or not, avoid overmedication because overmedication can lead to daily headaches and migraines.
Good to know
Women who wish to become pregnant, while taking background treatments against migraine, must consult a specialized doctor for a pre-conception consultation. Indeed, the care must be adapted to the pregnancy.
Source : www.qare.fr