What are the common symptoms of flu-induced headaches. How can you differentiate between a flu headache and other types of head pain. When should you seek medical attention for a flu-related headache. How long do flu headaches typically last.

The Relationship Between Influenza and Headaches

Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is a highly contagious respiratory illness that affects millions of people worldwide each year. While most people associate the flu with symptoms like fever, body aches, and fatigue, headaches are also a common complaint among those infected with the influenza virus.

But can flu really cause headaches? The short answer is yes. Headaches are indeed a common symptom of the flu, often accompanying other flu-related discomforts. Understanding the connection between flu and headaches can help individuals better manage their symptoms and seek appropriate treatment when necessary.

Why Does Flu Cause Headaches?

Flu-induced headaches typically occur due to several factors:

• Inflammation: The influenza virus triggers an inflammatory response in the body, which can lead to swelling in the sinuses and nasal passages, potentially causing headache pain.
• Dehydration: Fever and reduced fluid intake during illness can lead to dehydration, a common trigger for headaches.
• Cytokine release: The immune system’s response to the virus involves releasing cytokines, which can cause inflammation and contribute to headache pain.
• Muscle tension: Body aches and fatigue associated with the flu can lead to muscle tension, particularly in the neck and shoulders, potentially causing tension headaches.

Identifying Flu-Related Headaches: Characteristics and Symptoms

Flu headaches can vary in intensity and location, but they often share certain characteristics. Understanding these features can help differentiate flu-related headaches from other types of head pain.

Common Characteristics of Flu Headaches

• Onset: Flu headaches typically develop rapidly, often within the first 24-48 hours of flu symptom onset.
• Location: The pain is usually felt across the forehead or behind the eyes, though it can affect the entire head.
• Intensity: Flu headaches can range from mild to severe, with many people describing them as throbbing or pulsating.
• Duration: These headaches often persist throughout the course of the flu, which typically lasts 5-7 days.
• Associated symptoms: Flu headaches are usually accompanied by other flu symptoms such as fever, body aches, fatigue, and respiratory issues.

Do flu headaches differ from other types of headaches? Indeed, they do. While flu headaches share some similarities with other headache types, such as tension headaches or migraines, they are typically distinguishable by their association with other flu symptoms and their timing in relation to the onset of the illness.

Differentiating Flu Headaches from Other Types of Head Pain

Distinguishing flu headaches from other types of headaches is crucial for proper treatment and management. Here’s how flu headaches compare to other common headache types:

Flu Headache vs. Tension Headache

• Flu headache: Often accompanied by fever, body aches, and respiratory symptoms; typically develops rapidly with flu onset.
• Tension headache: Usually caused by stress or muscle tension; develops gradually; not typically associated with fever or other flu-like symptoms.

Flu Headache vs. Migraine

• Flu headache: Generally affects the whole head; may be accompanied by sensitivity to light and sound, but usually less severe than in migraines.
• Migraine: Often one-sided; frequently accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and severe sensitivity to light and sound; may have aura symptoms preceding the headache.

Flu Headache vs. Sinus Headache

• Flu headache: Can cause pressure in the sinuses but is typically accompanied by other flu symptoms.
• Sinus headache: Primarily focused in the sinus areas (forehead, cheekbones, bridge of nose); often worse when bending forward; may be accompanied by nasal discharge and facial pain.

Managing Flu-Related Headaches: Treatment Options and Home Remedies

While flu headaches can be uncomfortable, there are several ways to manage and alleviate the pain. Treatment options range from over-the-counter medications to simple home remedies.

Over-the-Counter Medications

Which medications are effective for flu headaches? Consider the following options:

• Acetaminophen (Tylenol): Helps reduce fever and relieve pain.
• Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin): Provides pain relief and reduces inflammation.
• Aspirin: Offers pain relief and fever reduction (not recommended for children due to the risk of Reye’s syndrome).
• Combination cold and flu medications: Often contain pain relievers along with decongestants and antihistamines.

Always follow the recommended dosage and consult with a healthcare provider if you have any concerns or pre-existing medical conditions.

Home Remedies for Flu Headaches

Are there natural ways to alleviate flu-related head pain? Try these home remedies:

• Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water, herbal tea, or clear broths to prevent dehydration.
• Rest in a dark, quiet room: Reduce sensory stimulation to help alleviate headache pain.
• Apply a cool compress: Place a damp, cool cloth on your forehead or neck to help soothe the pain.
• Practice relaxation techniques: Deep breathing, gentle stretching, or meditation may help reduce tension and pain.
• Use essential oils: Peppermint or lavender oil, when applied to the temples, may provide some relief (always dilute essential oils before applying to the skin).

When to Seek Medical Attention for Flu-Related Headaches

While most flu headaches can be managed at home, certain situations warrant medical attention. It’s important to recognize the signs that indicate a need for professional evaluation.

Warning Signs That Require Immediate Medical Care

Seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of the following symptoms along with your flu headache:

• Severe, persistent headache that doesn’t respond to over-the-counter pain relievers
• Confusion or altered mental state
• Stiff neck
• High fever (above 103°F or 39.4°C) that doesn’t respond to fever-reducing medications
• Seizures
• Difficulty breathing or chest pain
• Sudden onset of severe headache, described as the worst headache of your life

These symptoms could indicate complications such as meningitis, encephalitis, or other serious conditions that require prompt medical intervention.

Preventing Flu-Related Headaches: Vaccination and Lifestyle Measures

The best way to avoid flu-related headaches is to prevent flu infection altogether. Here are some strategies to reduce your risk:

Flu Vaccination

How effective is the flu vaccine in preventing flu-related headaches? Getting an annual flu vaccine is one of the most effective ways to prevent flu infection and, consequently, flu-related headaches. While the vaccine’s effectiveness can vary from year to year, it generally reduces the risk of flu illness by 40-60% among the overall population.

Lifestyle Measures to Boost Immunity

In addition to vaccination, consider these lifestyle measures to strengthen your immune system and reduce your risk of flu infection:

• Practice good hygiene: Wash your hands frequently and avoid touching your face.
• Maintain a healthy diet: Consume a variety of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains to support immune function.
• Exercise regularly: Moderate exercise can boost immune system function.
• Get adequate sleep: Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep per night to support overall health and immunity.
• Manage stress: Chronic stress can weaken the immune system, so practice stress-reduction techniques like meditation or yoga.
• Stay hydrated: Proper hydration supports overall health and can help prevent headaches.

The Impact of Flu-Related Headaches on Daily Life

Flu-related headaches can significantly impact an individual’s daily life and productivity. Understanding these effects can help in managing expectations and planning for recovery.

Work and School Performance

How do flu headaches affect productivity? Flu-related headaches, combined with other flu symptoms, can lead to:

• Decreased concentration and focus
• Reduced cognitive function
• Increased absenteeism from work or school
• Lower overall productivity

It’s important to allow yourself adequate time to rest and recover, rather than pushing through symptoms and potentially prolonging your illness.

Social and Family Life

Flu headaches can also impact personal relationships and social activities:

• Cancellation of social plans
• Difficulty participating in family activities
• Increased irritability due to pain and discomfort
• Potential strain on relationships due to the need for care and support

Communicating openly with friends and family about your condition can help manage expectations and ensure you receive the support you need during recovery.

Long-Term Effects and Complications of Flu-Related Headaches

While most flu-related headaches resolve as the illness subsides, in some cases, they can lead to longer-term issues or complications.

Post-Infectious Headache Syndrome

Can flu headaches persist after the flu has resolved? In some cases, individuals may experience what’s known as post-infectious headache syndrome. This condition is characterized by persistent headaches that continue for weeks or even months after the initial flu infection has cleared.

Symptoms of post-infectious headache syndrome may include:

• Chronic daily headaches
• Increased sensitivity to light and sound
• Fatigue
• Difficulty concentrating

If you experience persistent headaches following a flu infection, it’s important to consult with a healthcare provider for proper evaluation and treatment.

Rare Complications

In rare cases, flu-related headaches may be a sign of more serious complications, such as:

• Encephalitis: Inflammation of the brain
• Meningitis: Inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord
• Sinus infections: Bacterial infections that can develop following a viral illness like the flu

These complications are uncommon but require immediate medical attention if suspected.

Understanding the potential long-term effects and complications of flu-related headaches underscores the importance of proper prevention, timely treatment, and ongoing monitoring of symptoms. By staying informed and proactive in managing flu symptoms, including headaches, individuals can minimize their risk of complications and ensure a faster, more complete recovery.

What Your Flu Headache is Telling You

COVID, Headache, Headache News, Headache Tools, Headache Triggers, In the Media, Migraine, News to Know, Seeing a Doctor, Triggers

The flu season is at its peak, and more and more people are becoming susceptible to the contagious virus. With this year’s intense new strain, preventing the flu is crucial, especially for those who experience chronic migraine. However, for those who contract the virus, here are some things to keep in mind to understand your headache when dealing with the flu.

Headaches as a Symptom of the Flu

The flu has a myriad of symptoms, including vomiting, nausea, and headaches. While some may not experience headaches, those who do may become sensitive to light, sound and smell. If a headache is the only symptom or persists after other symptoms dissipate, it is likely not due to the flu or cold but a more specific type of headache, such as migraine or tension headaches.  

Headaches that Intensify with the Flu

For some people living with chronic migraine, the flu may intensify an already occurring migraine. The mucous membranes lining the nasal and sinus cavities can become inflamed when infected with the flu virus. This results in increased pressure around the eyes and face, which may lead to a magnified headache. On rare occasions, it might signal an even more serious problem, such as an infection of the brain.

Headaches that Stay After the Flu

Typically, people fully recover from the flu after a week or two with rest and medication. However, lasting symptoms, such as a headache, can indicate serious complications that may require emergency care. If a headache with fever persists, this could be due to a sinus infection. The pain from sinus infections are usually localized in one or more of the sinus areas around the eyes and forehead.

COVID

COVID is another viral infection that can cause headache and is often misdiagnosed as flu.   One can get headache with a COVID infection, but even more concerning is that COVID can lead to “new daily persistent headache” which is even more difficult to manage and does not resolve when the infection appears to have resolved.  This is another reason why COVID vaccinations are so important and acute treatment with Paxlovid, in a person where this is appropriate, is important.

Every migraine is different, translating to different causes which can ultimately lead to a serious medical issue. Tracking and taking note of any headache is crucial in determining a clearer cause. Anyone living with migraine, whether as an onset of a virus or by itself, is encouraged to consult with a health care practitioner to discuss their options.

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Bad Headaches and the Flu

Headaches affect millions of people each year, with causes and symptoms ranging from mild to severe.

Sometimes, the pain can become so strong that we may question whether we are living with a simple headache or something more serious, like the flu, especially if we are experiencing other flu-like symptoms.

According to the CDC, even with the widespread availability and recommendation to get a flu vaccine, an estimated 9 million to 41 million people annually have become infected with the flu.

While the vaccine is an excellent deterrent against the flu, it does not guarantee complete protection.

So, it is essential to understand where your bad headache is coming from to get the proper treatment and relief you need sooner.

Let’s dive deeper into the question, “does the flu cause bad headaches?” below. 

First, What Is the Flu?

On average, about 8% of the U.S. population gets sick with the flu each year, but what exactly is it?

More formally known as influenza, the flu is a contagious respiratory virus that can infect a person’s nose, throat, and lungs and is caused by influenza A or B.

It is spread from one person to another by tiny droplets in the air from coughing, talking, or sneezing.

Symptom onset averages around 2 days but can range from 1 to 4 days. Symptoms range from mild to severe and can even lead to death in extremely rare and isolated cases.

Does the Flu Cause Bad Headaches?

Yes, bad headaches are a common flu symptom.

In fact, of those who are diagnosed with the flu, a majority of them report headaches as a symptom.

It has also been reported that the flu can trigger migraine headaches in those who already suffer from the common headache disorder.

Headaches during the flu can be caused by

• fever
• stress or anxiety
• dehydration
• blocked sinuses
• an increase in cytokines that the immune system releases to respond to infection or illness

Other Flu Symptoms 

The flu is known for causing a wide array of symptoms. Aside from bad or worsening headaches, other common flu symptoms include

• fever
• chills
• fatigue
• body aches
• muscle aches
• loss of appetite
• dry cough
• sore throat
• stuffy nose
• nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea

Flu Treatment

Most people with the flu recover on their own, but there are various ways to help control symptoms at home, including

• OTC pain relievers for bad headaches
• proper hydration with clear liquids like water, juice, or soup broth
• adequate rest
• fever reducers
• OTC anti-inflammatories and decongestants
• throat lozenges or a saltwater gargle to relieve a sore throat
• OTC saline nasal drops or spray for a runny or stuffy nose
• a cool-mist vaporizer or humidifier

Antiviral medication may be prescribed in more severe cases to mitigate the severity of your flu symptoms.

Comprehensive Care for the Flu Close to Home

Although most cases of the flu can be treated effectively with rest, hydration, and symptom-specific medication at home, we recommend visiting our urgent care facility if

• your symptoms last longer than a week.
• you experience a fever for more than 3 days.
• OTC medication isn’t helping.
• you have other underlying health conditions or a compromised immune system
• the medication you’re taking is causing adverse side effects.

You should seek immediate emergency medical treatment for any life-threatening, flu-like symptoms such as difficulty breathing, chest pains, or high fever with accompanying symptoms such as confusion, difficulty staying awake, nausea, or a rash.

Visit Thibodaux Regional Urgent Care – Thibodaux to receive rapid treatment for flu, colds, and fevers.

why does a headache appear with SARS and what to do about it

With a cold, headache is one of the most common symptoms. Most often it occurs due to intoxication of the body, but it can have more serious causes. We tell you why a headache appears with colds and flu, what pains in different areas of the head mean, and how to deal with them.

Why does my head hurt when I have a cold

Intoxication. This is a characteristic manifestation of ARVI, and headache is its main symptom. It is accompanied by other symptoms – fever, weakness, muscle and joint pain, and in severe infections – nausea and vomiting.

Intoxication occurs for the following reasons:

● To fight the virus, the immune system secretes substances that activate the natural protective reaction of tissues – inflammation. The inflammatory process is accompanied by increased release of oxygen free radicals. When they accumulate too much, oxidative stress occurs, which leads to intoxication.

● To invade host cells and multiply, the virus produces enzymes. They lead to circulatory disorders – increase the permeability of the vascular wall, provoke the appearance of microthrombi.

● Decay products of affected cells are released into the blood, irritating nerve fibers.
Changes in the vessels of the head cause headache.

With mild colds, toxins are released in small quantities and practically do not affect the body, so the head does not hurt. In this case, signs of local inflammation develop – a runny nose, sore throat, sneezing appear.

Headache and other manifestations of intoxication are the main symptoms of the flu. They occur in more than half of patients ¹ and appear before signs of local inflammation. This is due to the high aggressiveness of the influenza virus: during the day, a single viral particle (virion), which has successfully penetrated into the cells of the respiratory mucosa, is able to reproduce more than a thousand of its own kind. ²

As a rule, intoxication persists for up to three days (in severe ARVI longer), and then the symptoms subside. If the headache bothers you for a long time or appears (for the first time or repeatedly) after a period of improvement, you can suspect the development of complications.

Complications of SARS. Complications of viral respiratory infections often occur due to increasing intoxication or the addition of a secondary infection, mainly bacterial. Due to the activation of the conditionally pathogenic flora that inhabits the mucous membranes of a person, non-viral inflammation develops. This is due to the weakening of the immune system when the SARS pathogen enters the bloodstream.

Among the main complications of colds and flu, which are accompanied by a headache:

● Sinusitis is an inflammation of the paranasal sinuses. Most often associated with a secondary infection, but may occur as a result of the spread of a viral infection.

● Otitis media is an inflammation of the middle ear (the cavity behind the eardrum). It develops for the same reasons as sinusitis.

● Cerebral meningeal syndrome (meningismus) – irritation of the membranes of the brain without the development of an inflammatory process, a consequence of intoxication.

● Meningoencephalitis – inflammation of the medulla and membranes of the brain. It can develop as an allergic reaction (to toxins, immune complexes) or occur due to a bacterial infection.

● Edema and swelling of the brain (ONGM). This is a life-threatening condition, the accumulation of fluid in the brain tissue. Occurs as a result of vascular lesions caused by intoxication.

● Acute respiratory failure (ARF) is another emergency that develops as a result of a viral or bacterial infection in the lungs. Headache occurs due to damage to the central nervous system against the background of an increase in the concentration of carbon dioxide in the blood.

Localization and causes of headache

Sometimes the cause of a headache can be determined by localization:

● Pain in the temples is characteristic of intoxication with influenza and colds, otitis media. In the case of SARS, pain is usually mild to moderate in intensity. Otitis is accompanied by severe and “shooting” pain in the ear, which radiates to the temples and lower jaw.

● Pain in the forehead is a frequent companion of influenza and other SARS. It also occurs with inflammation of the frontal sinus of the nose (frontitis). In both cases, pain sensations are localized mainly in the region of the superciliary arches, aggravated by the movement of the eyeballs.

● Pain in the back of the head may be a sign of meningism and other cerebral lesions, inflammation of the sphenoid sinus (sphenoiditis). With irritation, inflammation, swelling of the brain tissue, pain in the occipital region is intense, often unbearable. With sphenoiditis, the pain sensations are weak or moderate, first they come “from the center of the head” (according to the complaints of patients), then they move to the back of the head, give to the temples and eye sockets. With otitis media, pain occurs behind the ear. If the inflammation has spread to the mastoid process of the temporal bone, the pain flows into the parietal region (mastoiditis).

When relief comes

^{1, 2}

Headache with SARS gradually subsides when a person is on the mend. It often goes away at the same time as the fever. How soon this happens depends on the severity of the disease.

How long can a flu headache last:

● mild form – up to 3 days;

● moderate form – 3-5 days;

● severe form – 5-7 days or more.

In the event of complications, the headache does not go away within the specified time frame or resumes after a short period of relief.

With colds that are accompanied by severe rhinitis or laryngitis, the head hurts due to a runny nose and coughing attacks. In this case, relief will come when the congestion passes and the intensity of the cough weakens.

Antiviral and symptomatic medications will help to quickly relieve headaches and other unpleasant symptoms of SARS. Their reception will also help to avoid complications.

How to get rid of a headache when you have a cold

Medical treatment. Symptoms of intoxication in SARS, including headache, can be relieved by various drugs. Some act directly on the virus, reducing its activity, others extinguish the symptoms of intoxication, and others anesthetize. Treatment depends on the condition of the patient, so it is better to consult a doctor.

If the headache is accompanied by a high fever, you can drink antipyretics, such as paracetamol, to relieve symptoms. For severe headaches, your doctor may prescribe non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Oxidative stress headaches can be relieved with antioxidants. These are preparations based on bioflavonoids, coenzyme Q, vitamins (A, C, E). ³

Interestingly, during the development of the enisamium iodide molecule, antioxidant properties were discovered. ⁴
As an active substance, it is contained in a dosage of 500 mg in the preparation Nobasit ^®
Forte. ⁵ Enisamia iodide combines direct antiviral, analgesic and anti-inflammatory action comparable to NSAIDs. ⁶
Research on the basis of the Research Institute of Influenza. A.A. Smorodintseva showed that enisamia iodide reduces the severity of fever, headache, muscle pain – symptoms of SARS and influenza, which characterize intoxication of the body, by 3 times. ⁷

If you want to alleviate the symptoms of a child, remember that children with influenza are contraindicated in drugs based on acetylsalicylic acid. They can cause a serious complication – Reye’s syndrome. ⁸ This is a lesion of the brain, liver, and other internal organs.

Non-drug treatment. Standard guidelines for headache relief:

● physical rest – bed or semi-bed rest;

● limitation of mental and emotional stress: do not take work home, try to watch less TV, read less;

● Drink plenty of fluids – up to 2-3 liters of liquid per day: weak tea with milk, fruit drinks and compotes, freshly squeezed juices, mineral water;

● Regular airing of the room.

Folk remedies. In some cases, essential oils help relieve headaches – camphor, peppermint, lavender, eucalyptus, and other plants. They are applied with light massage movements on the temporal areas, forehead, back of the neck. These drugs have an anti-inflammatory and vasodilating effect, distract from headaches, causing mild skin irritation. Ready-made topical preparations based on essential oils can be bought at a pharmacy: this is Doctor Mom ointment, Asterisk balm.

Headaches after colds and flu

The cause of headaches after SARS is often post-influenza asthenic syndrome. Other symptoms are apathy, irritability, weakness and drowsiness, which does not go away even after a good rest. More often, this condition occurs against the background of excessive physical and mental activity, psycho-emotional stress, disorders of the nervous and endocrine systems.

Also, the reason for the persistence or resumption of headaches after recovery may be complications caused by a secondary infection. Protective factors (ciliated airway epithelium, immune system function) are not restored immediately after the disappearance of symptoms. During this period, increased susceptibility to opportunistic pathogens persists.

When to see a doctor

If a cold is accompanied by a headache, it is always advisable to consult a doctor, especially for people with immunosuppression, chronic respiratory diseases. This will help to quickly stop intoxication, to avoid negative consequences.

Be sure to consult your doctor if your headache:

● continues for a long time or resumed after temporary improvement;

● accompanied by signs of complications from the ENT organs – a repeated increase in body temperature, discharge from the ear canal, purulent discharge from the nose;

● torments after recovery: in this case, a medical examination will help to identify not only late complications, but also hidden pathologies that contribute to the development of post-influenza asthenic syndrome.

Urgent or emergency medical attention required:

● With any lesions of the central nervous system. In such cases, the headache is accompanied by repeated vomiting that does not bring relief, convulsions, clouding of consciousness, and other neurological symptoms.

● In acute respiratory failure: if, in addition to headache, there is severe weakness, shortness of breath, cyanosis of the skin.

Briefly about the main

➢ Headache in ARVI can be a symptom of intoxication or a sign of complications.

➢ The pain in the head during intoxication occurs immediately and passes quickly enough. In the case of complications, it lasts a long time or occurs after a period of relief and is accompanied by other characteristic symptoms.

➢ For the treatment of headaches, antipyretic and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antioxidants, anti-influenza drugs are used. Plentiful drinking, rest and regular ventilation of the room where the patient is located will help to alleviate the condition.

➢ For colds with severe headache, it is advisable to consult a doctor. Professional help is required if you suspect the development of complications.

¹ Romantsov M.G. Flu. Rational approach to therapy // Chief Doctor of the South of Russia – No. 3 (11), 2007

² Pathological anatomy of the lungs in influenza A (h2N1), according to autopsies / Chuchalin A.G. [and other authors] // Pulmonology – №1 2010

³ Nagornaya N.V., Chetverik N.A. Oxidative stress: impact on the human body, assessment methods. // Child Health – No. 2 (23), 2010

⁴ Pshenichnaya N.Yu., Bulgakova V.A., Volchkova E.V., Kareva E.N., Selkova E.P., Gorodin V.N. of viral infections in Russia // Therapeutic archive No. 11 – 2019.

⁵ Instructions for medical use (Nobasit® Forte, film-coated tablets 500 mg; RU: LP-006416 dated 20.08.2020).

⁶ Zyryanov S. K., Butranova O.I., Gaidai D.S., Kryshen K.L., Pharmacotherapy of acute respiratory infections caused by influenza viruses // Therapeutic archive No. 1 – 2021

⁷ Lioznov D.A., Karnaukhova E.Yu., Zubkova T.G., Shakhlanskaya E.V. Evaluation of the effectiveness of the ARVI treatment regimen, including etiotropic (enisamia iodide) and symptomatic therapy // Therapeutic archive No. 3 – 2020 G.

⁸ Zakharova V.V. Reye’s syndrome // Proceedings of the All-Russian Scientific Forum of Students – with international participation “Student Science – 2020”.

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Why does the head hurt with colds and flu

For the purposes of this article, by the common cold we will mean acute respiratory viral infections (ARVI). Influenza also belongs to SARS, but has its own characteristics, primarily in the severity of individual symptoms and the possibility of developing complications, therefore, it is often given a separate emphasis and distinguished as a separate disease.

Is it important to know why the head hurts?

Understanding exactly what mechanism underlies the development of headache, one can more reasonably approach the choice of a drug.

If we talk about headaches in general, there can be many reasons: for example, someone has a headache due to the fact that the vascular tone has decreased, and someone, on the contrary, because it has increased.

The first one will probably go for coffee, and the second one – for a remedy “for vasospasm.”

Why does my head hurt when I have a cold?

Headache along with runny nose, sore throat, cough, fever and general malaise is one of the main symptoms of colds and flu ^1.2 .

Cytokines

According to the main hypothesis, the onset of headache during a cold is associated with the action of cytokines.

Cytokines are peptide molecules that are produced by immune cells in response to an infection and help our body fight infection pathogens ¹ .

These substances are a kind of intermediaries, with their participation, pain receptors are stimulated and the activity of nerve cells increases, which leads to the development of headache ¹ .

It is also worth noting that cytokines are also responsible for other symptoms, including fever, muscle pain and general malaise ² .

Pain relievers and fever reducers can help manage these symptoms. For example, paracetamol, which is part of Theraflu ^3-8 .

Nasal congestion

One of the main symptoms that causes a lot of discomfort to a sick person and can cause a headache.

Due to severe and prolonged nasal congestion, sleep may be disturbed, concentration may decrease and headaches may become more frequent ⁹ .

Theraflu contains two components that, complementing each other, help to reduce swelling of the nasopharyngeal mucosa and facilitate breathing through the nose – pheniramine and phenylephrine hydrochloride. Pheniramine has an anti-allergic effect, and phenylephrine hydrochloryl has a vasoconstrictive effect ^3-8 .

Sinusitis

Headache may be a symptom of complications from a cold, such as sinusitis (inflammation of the paranasal sinuses).

With sinusitis, pain appears in the projection of the sinus and increases with a change in the position of the head, most often when it is tilted down. It occurs due to the fact that a thick secret accumulates in the sinus, which begins to put pressure on its walls from the inside ¹⁰ .

Cough

Another cause of headache in respiratory infections can be cough. Particularly dry, unproductive cough, attacks of which can provoke a short-term increase in intracranial pressure and cause headache ¹¹ .

What to do?

Since the headache in our case is a manifestation of a viral infection, its relief is carried out as part of the complex treatment of acute respiratory viral infections.

In this case, you can pay attention to combined preparations, the active ingredients of which are specially selected to combat several flu and cold symptoms at the same time. One example is Theraflu, the optimally selected composition of which helps to comprehensively deal with symptoms.

As mentioned above, the composition includes ^4-8 :

• paracetamol, which has an analgesic and antipyretic effect;
• pheniramine to reduce allergic manifestations;
• phenylephrine hydrochloride to reduce swelling of the nasopharyngeal mucosa and facilitate breathing through the nose.

Other things to look out for

If you know that you have high blood pressure, measure it during illness, especially when you have a headache, as blood pressure can react differently to a viral infection and rise in temperature ¹² .

References:

1. Danilov A. B., Prishchepa A.V. Neuroimmunological mechanisms of development of headache in breast cancer. 2015. No. 29. pp. 7-8.
2. Eccles R. Understanding the symptoms of the common cold and influenza. Lancet Infect Dis. 2005 Nov;5(11):718-25.
3. Berdnikova N.G. Combined therapy of acute respiratory viral infections from the point of view of a clinical pharmacologist. Medical advice. 2018. №6. pp. 66-70.
4. Instructions for medical use of the drug TheraFlu Lemon (powder), P N 012063/01 dated 05/31/2011.
5. Instructions for use of the medicinal product for medical use TeraFlu Wild berries (powder), LS-001960 dated 11.09.2012.
6. Instructions for use of the medicinal product for medical use TeraFluExtra Lemon (powder), LSR-007823/10 dated 10.08.2010.
7. Instructions for medical use of the drug TheraFlu Max (powder), LSR-006670/09 dated 20.08.2009.
8. Instructions for medical use of the drug TeraFlu ExtraTab (tablets), P N 015589/01 dated 29.05.2009.
9.