Headaches are a common symptom associated with Covid-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. However, headaches alone are not necessarily indicative of a Covid-19 infection. Here we will explore whether Covid-19 typically starts with a headache and what other early symptoms may present.
Does Covid-19 usually begin with a headache?
While headaches can be one of the first noticeable symptoms of Covid-19, research suggests they do not tend to be the very first symptom that manifests when someone is infected with the coronavirus. Studies have found that fever and cough tend to precede headaches as initial Covid-19 symptoms.
One 2021 study published in The Journal of Headache and Pain analyzed symptom data from over 55,000 people who tested positive for Covid-19. Among those who experienced headaches as a symptom, only 4.4% reported it as their first symptom. Meanwhile, fever was the first noticed symptom for 35.1% of people and cough for 23.3%.
Another study followed over 1,000 people with confirmed Covid-19 infections and found that headache presented after an average of 3.4 days from the onset of first symptoms. Fever and cough generally began earlier. So while headaches can be an early indicator, they tend not to be the very first sign.
What are the most common initial symptoms of Covid-19?
According to the research to date, these are the most common first symptoms experienced at the onset of Covid-19:
- Fever – Around 35-40% of people report fever as their first Covid symptom
- Cough – Approximately 25-35% experience coughing as their initial symptom
- Fatigue – About 15-20% say unusual tiredness is their first indication of infection
- Muscle aches – Roughly 10-15% note muscle pains early on
- Loss of smell – Around 5% suffer loss of smell as their first symptom
While less common as an initial symptom, headaches and other flu-like symptoms – such as chills, sore throat, and stuffy nose – can also present within the first few days of Covid infection for some people.
How soon after exposure do Covid symptoms start?
On average, the first symptoms of Covid begin around 5 days after exposure to the coronavirus. However, the incubation period can range anywhere from 2 to 14 days.
Here is an overview of the typical Covid symptom timeline after exposure:
- Day 1: Exposure to the virus
- Day 5: Earliest possible onset of first symptoms like fever, cough, fatigue
- Day 10: Average time when first symptoms appear
- Day 12-14: Latest window when first symptoms may start
In a minority of cases, some people do not develop any symptoms at all throughout the course of infection – known asymptomatic cases. However, the majority do end up experiencing symptoms at some point, even if they are initially asymptomatic.
What are other common early symptoms aside from headaches?
In addition to the most common initial symptoms outlined above, here are some other signs and symptoms that may emerge in the first few days after Covid infection:
- Chills – Around 15% experience chills and shivering early on
- Sore throat – Approximately 13% report sore throat as an early symptom
- Nasal congestion – Around 5% suffer from a runny nose or congestion early in illness
- Nausea – 5-10% have nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea – 5-10% develop diarrhea
- Loss of appetite – 5-10% notice reduced appetite
While any of these can manifest shortly after coronavirus infection, they tend to be most common and pronounced during the later stages of illness.
How long do Covid-19 symptoms last?
The duration of Covid symptoms can vary substantially, but here is an overview of the typical timeline:
- Days 1-3: Exposure period before symptoms start
- Days 4-5: Earliest onset of first symptoms like fever, cough, headaches
- Days 5-12: Symptoms worsen and peak in severity
- Days 10-14: Symptoms begin improving for most people
- Weeks 3-6: Most symptoms fully resolve, but fatigue may persist
- Weeks 6+: Vast majority have fully recovered, but some long-haul cases have lingering symptoms
On average, the acute illness lasts around 12-14 days from the onset of first symptoms. However, the recovery period can be much longer for patients with severe disease who require hospitalization.
Conclusion
In summary, while headaches are a common symptom of Covid-19 and may emerge in the first few days of illness, they do not tend to be the very first noticeable symptom. Fever, cough, and fatigue more typically precede headaches. Overall, Covid symptoms generally begin within 3-7 days after exposure to the coronavirus and last around 12-14 days on average. However, there is wide variability in symptom timelines and progression among different patients. Getting tested quickly at the first sign of any potential Covid symptoms is crucial to confirm diagnosis and prevent transmission to others.