Cold symptoms and headache
Pro Research Analysisby 
Searched over 200M research papers
Cold Symptoms and Headache: Common Associations
Headache as a Symptom of the Common Cold
Headache is a very common symptom experienced during a cold. Studies show that headache often appears alongside other symptoms such as sore throat, nasal congestion, muscle aches, and feverishness, especially in the first few days of illness. In one study, headache was reported by over 94% of patients with the common cold, making it one of the most frequent symptoms, similar in prevalence to throat discomfort and muscle soreness . Other research confirms that headache, along with nasal congestion and pain, is frequently present during the early stages of a cold 58. In school-aged children, headache is less common but still reported in about 15% of cases at the onset of a cold .
Other Common Cold Symptoms
The most typical symptoms of the common cold include nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, sore throat, cough, muscle aches, and tiredness. These symptoms often overlap and can persist for up to 10 days 45689. Fever and malaise are also reported, though less frequently than headache and muscle soreness 68. In children, cough and sneezing are the most common signs, while nasal congestion and runny nose are the most common symptoms .
Headache and Cold Sores
Headache is also a common constitutional symptom in people experiencing cold sores (herpes simplex virus outbreaks). In a study of individuals with cold sores, 39.3% reported headache during an outbreak, often accompanied by malaise, fever, muscle aches, and nervousness . This highlights that headache can be a general response to viral infections, not just limited to respiratory viruses.
Headache from Cold Stimuli
Exposure to cold stimuli, such as eating ice cream or inhaling cold air, can trigger a specific type of headache known as "ice-cream headache" or headache attributed to ingestion or inhalation of a cold stimulus (HICS). This headache is usually brief, lasting less than 30 seconds in most cases, and can be accompanied by visual symptoms or trigemino-autonomic features in some people 23. The risk of experiencing this type of headache is not higher in people with migraines or tension-type headaches, but the pain can be more intense if these conditions are present .
Cold Extremities and Headache
Women who experience cold extremities (cold hands and feet) often report headache as an accompanying symptom, along with other issues like fatigue, shoulder stiffness, and nasal congestion. This suggests that headache can be part of a broader pattern of symptoms related to poor circulation or other underlying health factors .
Conclusion
Headache is a frequent and significant symptom associated with the common cold, cold sores, and even exposure to cold stimuli. It often occurs alongside other symptoms such as muscle aches, sore throat, nasal congestion, and malaise. While headache is a common response to viral infections and cold exposure, its presence and severity can vary depending on individual factors and coexisting health conditions. Recognizing headache as a key symptom can help guide effective symptom management during colds and related illnesses 1456789.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic