Sore Throat & Headache: Causes & Treatments
Sore throat and headache are common symptoms that may occur together, like with the flu or allergies. A sore throat is pain or scratchiness of the throat, whereas a headache is pain or discomfort in the head or face.
This article will review the health conditions associated with a sore throat and headache. It will also explore the treatment and possible prevention of these conditions.
Symptoms of Sore Throat and HeadacheSymptoms of a sore throat or headache depend on the cause.
Sore ThroatA sore throat presents as a scratchy, uncomfortable, dry, or tender sensation in the throat. The discomfort or pain can be mild or severe and may worsen with swallowing or talking.
Signs and symptoms that can accompany a sore throat include:
Most sore throats are not dangerous except in rare instances. Call 911 or go to the emergency room if your or your child's sore throat is accompanied by the following:
Difficulty breathing or swallowing
Trouble opening your mouth
Drooling or muffled ("hot potato") voice
Headaches vary in location, severity, and quality and are classified as primary or secondary headaches.
Primary headaches have no underlying cause, whereas secondary headaches arise from an underlying health-related condition or other factor (e.G., illness or medication).
Two of the most common primary headaches are:
Tension-type headaches cause a mild to moderate squeezing or tightening sensation around the head.
Migraine headaches cause throbbing pain on one or both sides of the head. Nausea or vomiting and light and sound sensitivity are also often present.
There are multiple secondary causes for a headache, and what the headache feels like depends on that underlying cause.
For example, a sinus headache develops from inflammation, infection, or a sinus structural abnormality, like polyps (benign growths) or cysts.
Story continues
Sinus headaches cause dull pain or pressure in the forehead, cheeks, or behind the eyes. The pain often worsens when the affected person bends forward or lies down.
Most headaches are not dangerous except in rare instances. Call 911 or go to the emergency room if your or your child's headache is:
Severe, begins abruptly, and/or is the "worst headache of your life"
Accompanied by head trauma, high fever, stiff neck, eye problems, passing out, confusion, or stroke symptoms
A few health conditions can cause both sore throat and headache.
Viral InfectionsViral infections are illnesses you get from a tiny germ called a virus.
The following viral infections may cause both a sore throat and headache:
The common cold is a group of illnesses caused by different viruses, like the rhinovirus. Colds are generally mild, lasting three to seven days.
Influenza, known as the flu, causes more severe symptoms, like muscle pain and high fever, than the common cold. A headache is much more likely to occur with influenza than a cold.
COVID-19 is a widespread coronavirus that first appeared in late 2019. Symptoms vary from person to person and can be mild or severe. You should test for COVID-19 if you have a sore throat and/or headache.
Mononucleosis, also called mono, is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). It's common in adolescents and young adults and is generally a mild illness, although the fatigue associated with mono can be severe.
Sinusitis refers to swelling of the lining of the nose and sinuses (hollow spaces within the facial bones). It's associated with thick nasal drainage and facial pressure, most commonly due to a viral infection.
With these infections, a sore throat may develop from the offending virus attacking the back of the throat, causing it to swell and turn red.
Postnasal drip—when mucus in the nose and sinuses drips down the throat—also contributes to irritation, especially with viral sinusitis.
Viral infections can cause headaches for a few different reasons, such as:
Nose and sinus congestion may lead to a sinus headache.
The inflammatory impact of the virus on the brain and nervous system can cause a headache resembling a tension-type or migraine headache.
Excess cytokine release has been studied as a cause of headaches in COVID-19 and other infections. Cytokines are small proteins that help your body fight infections. Some cytokines promote inflammation, triggering unpleasant symptoms like headaches.
COVID-19 headaches are moderate to severe in intensity, occur on both sides of the head, and have a pressing or throbbing quality.
Bacterial InfectionsCertain bacterial infections cause a sore throat and headache.
Group A Streptococcus infection of the throat, which may involve the tonsils, is known as strep throat. It occurs in up to 30% of children and 15% of adults with sore throats.
The bacteria from group A Streptococcus inflame the tonsils causing them to become red, swollen, tender, and sometimes streaked with pus (a whitish-yellow liquid).
Besides sore throat and other classic strep symptoms like fever and enlarged lymph nodes in the neck, headache may also be present, especially in children.
Meningitis is inflammation of the tissue covering the brain and spinal cord (meninges). It classically causes fever, neck stiffness, and headache. The meningitis headache is severe, felt all over the head, and may resemble a migraine.
Cold-like symptoms like a sore throat or cough may also occur in meningitis, sometimes before the onset of the headache. These cold-like symptoms are more typical of viral vs. Bacterial meningitis.
Allergic RhinitisAllergic rhinitis describes inflammation of the inside of the nose due to exposure to specific allergens (harmless proteins that a person's immune system may overreact to).
Postnasal drip can cause a sore throat in allergic rhinitis. Swelling and irritation of the throat may also cause it to feel itchy, along with the nose, eyes, and inner ears.
Nasal congestion with allergic rhinitis can trigger a headache. Sometimes, the headache associated with allergic rhinitis mimics that of a migraine.
Related:The Difference Between Migraine and Sinus Headache
How to Treat Sore Throat and HeadacheVarious therapies treat conditions associated with a sore throat and headache.
Sore Throat RemediesMost sore throats can be treated at home with an over-the-counter (OTC) pain reliever, such as:
Be sure to speak with a healthcare provider before taking any OTC drugs, as they may potentially cause harm. For example, NSAIDs can increase a person's risk of stomach bleeding, heart attack, and stroke.
Besides OTC pain relievers, various home remedies can help soothe throat pain. These include throat lozenges containing a numbing agent like benzocaine and lemon tea mixed with honey.
Sometimes, a person may need another type of medication to treat the underlying cause of the sore throat (and headache).
For instance, a person with strep throat needs an antibiotic like Amoxil (amoxicillin). Likewise, a high-risk individual with influenza or COVID-19 may require an antiviral drug, such as Tamiflu (oseltamivir) or Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir-ritonavir), respectively.
People with suspected EBV infections should be advised to refrain from contact sports owing to the increased risk of splenic rupture secondary to EBV.
Related:How a Sore Throat Is Treated
Headache RemediesTylenol or an NSAID, the same OTC painkiller used to treat a sore throat, can alleviate headaches. Home remedies like placing a cold compress on your head or napping in a dark, quiet room can also be helpful.
As with sore throats, the root cause of the headache may require treatment with a prescription drug. For example, a person with meningitis requires treatment with intravenous (IV) antibiotics or antiviral drugs.
Likewise, a steroid nasal spray like Flonase (fluticasone propionate) is best for treating allergy-related symptoms.
In some cases, a particular type of headache medication is needed to relieve severe or persistent headaches. For instance, a person with severe migraine may require a triptan, such as Imitrex (sumatriptan).
Related:How Headaches Are Treated
What About Young Children?It's essential to talk with a pediatrician if your child is experiencing a sore throat and headache. The above treatments may not be appropriate for them.
Notably, the NSAID aspirin should be avoided in kids under 19, as it's linked to a potentially fatal condition called Reye's syndrome. Also, avoid giving honey to babies under 1 year old to prevent botulism, a potentially fatal nervous system condition.
Lastly, children younger than 5 should not use throat lozenges for throat pain due to the risk of choking.
How to Prevent Sore Throat and HeadacheYou can prevent yourself or your child from getting sick and developing a sore throat and headache by hand-washing frequently and ensuring updated vaccinations (e.G., the COVID-19 vaccine and the flu shot).
Infections can also be prevented by boosting your immune system with the following lifestyle behaviors:
Eating a well-balanced diet
Engaging in daily physical activity
Establishing a regular sleep schedule
Avoiding smoking and limiting alcohol intake
Lastly, trigger avoidance, if possible, is a valuable preventive strategy for allergic rhinitis, a common cause of sore throat and headache. Skin testing at an allergist's office can help identify specific allergens (substances that trigger an allergic reaction). Common ones include dust mites, mold, pet dander, and pollen from trees, grasses, and weeds.
Related:How to Treat and Prevent Spring Allergies
When to See a Healthcare ProviderMost sore throats and headaches are not worrisome, though they sometimes can be the first signs of something serious in your body. See a healthcare provider if your or your child's sore throat or headache is severe, persistent, or worsening.
Also, seek medical attention if your (or your child's) sore throat is accompanied by the following:
Likewise, to be safe, if you have a headache, see a healthcare professional if you are pregnant, postpartum, or have a history of cancer or a weakened immune system.
SummarySore throat and headache may coexist in various health conditions, including strep throat, allergies, and viral infections like the flu and COVID-19. Over-the-counter pain relievers can often treat a sore throat and headache, although other medications or therapies may be needed, depending on the underlying cause.
A person can help prevent most conditions that cause a sore throat and headache by avoiding allergen triggers (if relevant) and engaging in healthy lifestyle behaviors like eating a healthy diet and exercising. Washing your hands and staying updated on vaccinations are also preventive strategies.
Early Flu Symptoms
Detecting early symptoms of the flu can help to prevent the spread of the virus and possibly help you treat the illness before it gets worse.
Early symptoms can include:
There are also early flu symptoms that are more unique to children.
Read on to learn more about all of these symptoms and how you can find relief.
Shorter days and reduced sunlight can make you feel tired. There's a difference between being tired and experiencing extreme fatigue.
Sudden, excessive fatigue is one of the earliest symptoms of the flu. It may appear before other symptoms. Fatigue is also a symptom of the common cold, but it's usually more severe with the flu.
Extreme weakness and tiredness may interfere with your normal activities. It's important that you limit activities and allow your body to rest. Take a few days off from work or school and stay in bed. Rest can strengthen your immune system and help you fight the virus.
Body aches and chills are also common flu symptoms.
If you're coming down with the flu virus, you may mistakenly blame body aches on something else, such as a recent workout. Body aches can manifest anywhere in the body, especially in the head, back, and legs.
Chills may also accompany body aches. The flu may cause chills even before a fever develops.
Wrapping yourself in a warm blanket can increase your body temperature and possibly reduce chills. If you have body aches, you can take over-the-counter pain relieving medication, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin).
A persistent dry cough can indicate an early illness. It may be a warning sign of the flu. The flu virus can also cause a cough with wheezing and chest tightness. You might cough up phlegm or mucus. However, a productive cough is rare in flu's early stages.
If you have respiratory problems, such as asthma or emphysema, you may need to call your doctor to prevent further complications. Also, contact your doctor if you notice foul smelling, colored phlegm. Flu complications can include bronchitis and pneumonia.
Take cough drops or cough medicine to calm your cough. Keeping yourself and your throat hydrated with lots of water and caffeine-free teas can also help. Always cover your cough and wash your hands to prevent spreading the infection.
Flu-related coughing can quickly lead to a sore throat. Some viruses, including influenza, can actually cause a swollen throat without a cough.
In the earliest stages of the flu, your throat may feel scratchy and irritated. You may also feel a strange sensation when you swallow food or drinks. If you have a sore throat, it'll likely get worse as the viral infection progresses.
Stock up on caffeine-free tea, chicken noodle soup, and water. You can also gargle with 8 ounces of warm water, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda.
A fever is a sign that your body is fighting off an infection. Flu-related fevers are typically over 100.4˚F (38˚C).
A fever is a common symptom in early stages of the flu, but not everyone with the flu will have a fever. Also, you might experience chills with or without a fever while the virus runs its course.
Usually, acetaminophen and ibuprofen are both effective fever reducers, but these medications can't cure the virus.
Early flu symptoms can extend below the head, throat, and chest. Some strains of the virus can cause diarrhea, nausea, stomach pain, or vomiting.
Dehydration is a dangerous complication of diarrhea and vomiting. To avoid dehydration, drink water, sports drinks, unsweetened fruit juices, caffeine-free teas, or broth.
The flu virus also causes the above symptoms in children. However, your child may have other symptoms that require medical attention. These can include:
It can be hard to know the difference between the flu and a cold in children.
With both a cold and flu, your child can develop a cough, sore throat, and body aches. Symptoms are typically more severe with the flu. If your child doesn't have a high fever or other severe symptoms, this may be an indication that they have a cold instead.
If you're concerned about any symptoms your child has developed, you should call their pediatrician.
The flu is a progressive illness. This means that symptoms will worsen before they get better. Not everyone responds the same to influenza virus. Your overall health can determine how severe your symptoms may be. The flu virus can be mild or severe.
Seek immediate medical care if you have the following symptoms:
Symptoms of the flu usually go away within a week or two. However, in some cases, the flu can cause additional complications, especially in people at high risk. Some possible complications include:
If you've been diagnosed with the flu, allow yourself a reasonable recovery period. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that you don't go back to work until you've been fever-free for 24 hours without needing to take a fever reducing medication.
Even if you don't have a fever, you should still consider staying home until other symptoms improve. It's generally safe to return to work or school when you can resume normal activity without getting tired.
The recovery rate varies from person to person.
Antiviral drugs can possibly help speed up your recovery time and make the illness less severe. Even after feeling better, you might experience a lingering cough and fatigue for a few weeks. Always see your doctor if the flu symptoms come back or get worse after an initial recovery.
During flu season, protecting yourself from respiratory viruses is a top priority.
The flu virus can spread through saliva droplets that are projected when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
These droplets can reach people and surfaces up to 6 feet away. You can be exposed by breathing air containing these droplets or by touching objects that these droplets have landed on.
The good news is that the flu virus is preventable.
Getting a flu shot every year is one of the best ways to protect yourself. The flu shot is recommended for everyone ages 6 months and older, including pregnant women.
Here are a few other preventive measures:
Cold And Flu News
Is It COVID-19 or the Flu? New Sensor Could Tell You in 10 SecondsMar. 28, 2023 — Have a cough, sore throat and congestion? Any number of respiratory viruses could be responsible. Today, scientists report using a single-atom-thick nanomaterial to build a device that can ...
Enhancing at-Home COVID Tests With Glow-in-the Dark MaterialsMar. 7, 2023 — Researchers are using glow-in-the-dark materials to enhance and improve rapid COVID-19 home ...
New Vaccine Targets Life-Threatening Fungal Infections, a Growing Health ConcernJan. 31, 2023 — A new vaccine could be the first clinically approved immunization to protect against invasive fungal infections, a growing concern as antifungal drug resistance increases. Fungal infections cause ...
Acids Help Against Airborne VirusesDec. 21, 2022 — A new study shows that aerosols in indoor air can vary in acidity. This acidity determines how long viruses remain infectious in the air -- with profound implications for virus transmission and ...
Scientists Uncover Biological Explanation Behind Why Upper Respiratory Infections Are More Common in Colder TemperaturesDec. 6, 2022 — A newly discovered immune response inside the nose is suppressed by colder temperatures, offering evidence for why colds, flu and COVID-19 are more common in cooler ...
Scientists Develop 20-Subtype mRNA Flu Vaccine to Protect Against Future Flu PandemicsNov. 25, 2022 — An experimental mRNA-based vaccine against all 20 known subtypes of influenza virus provided broad protection from otherwise lethal flu strains in initial tests, and thus might serve one day as a ...
Risk of Seizures Is Higher After COVID-19 Than After Influenza, Study FindsNov. 16, 2022 — People who have a COVID-19 infection are more likely to develop seizures or epilepsy within the next six months than people who have an influenza infection, according to a new ...
Children With Severe Form of Epilepsy Should Receive Flu Vaccine Due to High Seizure Risk After Influenza Infection, Study FindsNov. 16, 2022 — Children with a severe form of epilepsy should be vaccinated against the flu due to the high risk of seizures being triggered by an influenza infection, according to a new ...
Flu Shots Can Protect Patients With Heart Failure from Early DeathNov. 15, 2022 — The study showed that over the entire year the influenza vaccine reduced pneumonia by 40 per cent and hospitalization by 15 per cent in patients with heart failure. During influenza season in the ...
Video Surveillance, Now for VirusesNov. 10, 2022 — Researchers have captured the first real-time footage of viruses on the move, right before they hijack a ...
Why Older People Are More Susceptible to the FluNov. 10, 2022 — An inflammatory lipid appears to reduce the number of macrophages inside the lungs with ...
Repeat COVID-19 Infections Increase Risk of Organ Failure, DeathNov. 10, 2022 — A new study shows the health consequences of COVID-19 reinfection. The researchers found that repeat SARS-CoV-2 infections contribute significant additional risk of adverse health conditions in ...
Trust in Experts, Media Literacy Connected to COVID-19 Vaccine IntentionNov. 9, 2022 — An early pandemic survey found that respondents' intentions to receive COVID-19 vaccines were linked more to their media literacy and opinion of health experts than knowledge of the virus or ...
Temperature, Nearby Species Could Affect Avian Flu Transmission in Migrating BirdsNov. 9, 2022 — Finding a turkey this holiday season could be difficult because of avian flu outbreaks on farms. Migratory wild birds could be to blame for transmitting the virus to commercial flocks, but no one has ...
Study Finds High Prevalence of COVID-19 and Flu Co-Infections During 2021-2022 Flu SeasonNov. 2, 2022 — Researchers have discovered a high prevalence of COVID-19 co-infections in central Missouri during the 2021-2022 flu season, with a monthly co-infection rate as high as 48 percent among individuals ...
Identity Theft the Secret of the Cat Parasite's SuccessOct. 28, 2022 — The parasite Toxoplasma is carried by a large portion of the global human population. Now a study shows how this microscopic parasite so successfully spreads in the body, for example to the brain. ...
'Prime and Spike' Nasal Vaccine Strategy Helps Combat COVIDOct. 27, 2022 — A nasal vaccine can help bolster immune responses to COVID-19 in previously vaccinated animals and reduce viral transmission, researchers report. The new vaccine approach -- which is known as ...
New Lassa Fever Therapy May Be on the HorizonOct. 26, 2022 — Scientists plan to use their new map of the Lassa virus surface glycoprotein to design a much-needed ...
Intranasal COVID Vaccine That Works Against Variants in AnimalsOct. 24, 2022 — An intranasal vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 could quickly get to the respiratory tract, where the virus most commonly causes symptoms. And a spray or droplets could be a more palatable option for people ...
COVID-19 Continued to Hit Life Expectancy in 2021 in Unvaccinated Populations and Eastern Europe, Research FindsOct. 17, 2022 — COVID-19 has caused a protracted shock to life expectancy levels, leading to global mortality changes unprecedented in the last 70 years, according to new ...
Tuesday, March 28, 2023
Tuesday, March 7, 2023
Tuesday, January 31, 2023
Wednesday, December 21, 2022
Tuesday, December 6, 2022
Friday, November 25, 2022
Wednesday, November 16, 2022
Tuesday, November 15, 2022
Thursday, November 10, 2022
Wednesday, November 9, 2022
Wednesday, November 2, 2022
Friday, October 28, 2022
Thursday, October 27, 2022
Wednesday, October 26, 2022
Monday, October 24, 2022
Monday, October 17, 2022
Thursday, October 6, 2022
Wednesday, October 5, 2022
Thursday, September 29, 2022
Monday, September 26, 2022
Wednesday, September 21, 2022
Thursday, September 15, 2022
Thursday, September 8, 2022
Wednesday, September 7, 2022
Thursday, August 25, 2022
Tuesday, August 16, 2022
Wednesday, July 27, 2022
Monday, July 25, 2022
Thursday, July 21, 2022
Tuesday, July 19, 2022
Tuesday, July 12, 2022
Friday, July 8, 2022
Wednesday, June 29, 2022
Friday, June 24, 2022
Wednesday, June 15, 2022
Friday, June 10, 2022
Tuesday, June 7, 2022
Monday, June 6, 2022
Wednesday, June 1, 2022
Wednesday, May 25, 2022
Thursday, May 19, 2022
Tuesday, May 17, 2022
Thursday, May 12, 2022
Wednesday, May 11, 2022
Thursday, May 5, 2022
Friday, April 29, 2022
Thursday, April 21, 2022
Tuesday, April 19, 2022
Wednesday, April 13, 2022
Friday, April 8, 2022
Thursday, April 7, 2022
Monday, April 4, 2022
Wednesday, March 30, 2022
Tuesday, March 29, 2022
Monday, March 28, 2022
Friday, March 25, 2022
Tuesday, March 22, 2022
Thursday, March 17, 2022
Thursday, March 10, 2022
Wednesday, March 9, 2022
Monday, March 7, 2022
Monday, February 14, 2022
Friday, February 11, 2022
Wednesday, February 9, 2022
Thursday, February 3, 2022
Tuesday, February 1, 2022
Friday, January 28, 2022
Monday, January 10, 2022
Thursday, December 23, 2021
Friday, December 3, 2021
Thursday, December 2, 2021
Tuesday, November 30, 2021
Wednesday, November 24, 2021
Monday, November 22, 2021
Thursday, November 18, 2021
Wednesday, November 17, 2021
Wednesday, November 10, 2021
Tuesday, November 9, 2021
Saturday, November 6, 2021
Wednesday, October 27, 2021
Friday, October 15, 2021
Thursday, October 14, 2021
Wednesday, October 13, 2021
Comments
Post a Comment