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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask if your child had headache as a covid symptom, how bad was it?

31 replies

Chocwocdoodah · 20/12/2020 22:53

Several kids in DS's school who have had covid only had a headache as a symptom. I know it's not on the symptom checklist but because of the experiences of the kids at school, twice now we have tested DS when he's had a headache and he's been negative. Both times the headache was mild.

He said his head hurt again tonight , again mild, not enough to make him cry or upset or anything and he's gone straight back to bed fine with a bit of calpol.

Do we get him tested again? I feel like I'm wasting tests/being overcautious but like I say, knowing the symptoms of the kids at school, I'm just trying to do the right thing. Has anyone's child had a covid headache - is it significantly different to a normal headache?

OP posts:
RelightMyPfizer · 20/12/2020 23:02

I had a headache as an adult- that and a sore throat were my only symptoms until I lost my smell

It was an odd headache. It didnt go with Advil- I took 3 lots in a day and it just dulled it

Front of head. Continuous- stayed the same- didnt worsen or dull

Original poster
Chocwocdoodah · 20/12/2020 23:12

That's interesting. I really think his headache is a simple 'too much screentime' headache - it only came on at bedtime and he went to sleep fine. I really don't want to waste a test/put him through another test and potentially test him every time he has a bloomin headache but I just don't know what to do for the best.

OP posts:
Original poster
Chocwocdoodah · 20/12/2020 23:16

Hope you've recovered well, by the way @relightmypfizer

OP posts:
ShameMacGowan · 20/12/2020 23:18

My dd tested positive yesterday and the only thing that made me get her tested was a mild headache (went with calpol)!, and a sight temperature. All symptoms disappeared before her test and now you wouldn't know she is even ill.

TheDayAfter · 20/12/2020 23:23

Severe headache was my first symptom. It floored me for 12 hours and then all over body pain kicked in. My kids had bad colds and if they had covid at all that was the only symptom for them. No headaches or coughs. Littlest was sleeping in my bed for the entire week before my symptoms and two days after onset so I’d be very surprised if she never caught it.

As far as I am aware, you should only have a test if there are also covid symptoms, as it only tests for coronavirus in general and not covid 19 specifically...so it could give you a positive when you just have a normal cold. Over testing and many false positives seem to be a big problem.

HazeyJaneII · 20/12/2020 23:25

As far as I am aware, you should only have a test if there are also covid symptoms, as it only tests for coronavirus in general and not covid 19 specifically...so it could give you a positive when you just have a normal cold.

This is not true.

Original poster
Chocwocdoodah · 20/12/2020 23:28

My DS has had no other symptoms at all - just a 'my head hurts a bit' at bedtime.

OP posts:
Stupidtapping · 20/12/2020 23:28

Absolutely not true and irresponsible to post stuff like this.

Original poster
Chocwocdoodah · 20/12/2020 23:31

I've had him tested twice in a month for very mild, very short lived headache. I can't just keep testing him every time he has a slight headache (and no other symptoms) - or should I??

OP posts:
minnie465 · 20/12/2020 23:35

As far as I am aware, you should only have a test if there are also covid symptoms, as it only tests for coronavirus in general and not covid 19 specifically...so it could give you a positive when you just have a normal cold. Over testing and many false positives seem to be a big problem.

Jesus Christ what the hell did I just read Confused

Todayisgood2 · 20/12/2020 23:37

If in doubt test. I know 4 kids in my class had various mild symptoms- cold, headache that went with calpol, body aches, diarrhoea. None had main 3 symptoms.

PandemicPavolova · 21/12/2020 00:06

Don't know but dh who is Rarely ill has complained of a front headache. I'm sleeping downstairs in case, re viral load. He has hardly been out, it was be terrible bad luck if he has got it.

I'm feeling concerned, sorry op, nothing to add.

TheDayAfter · 21/12/2020 09:34

HazeyJaneII

This is not true.

Ok but tell that to NHS111 as they told me only my daughter could have a test recently because she was the only one with symptoms.

The PCR test is well known to be unreliable. It amplifies the tiniest fragments of genetic material and a positive result does not necessarily mean you have covid19. This is well documented. This is why, unless you have symptoms of covid 19 as well, it is very unreliable.

TheDayAfter · 21/12/2020 09:42

And the “rapid turnaround tests” they plan to use in secondary schools give many false negatives:

www.channel4.com/news/factcheck/factcheck-how-reliable-are-the-uks-coronavirus-lateral-flow-tests

Houseplantmad · 21/12/2020 09:46

Headache, stomach ache and diarrhoea seem to be the main first symptoms for teens/kids, then loss of smell etc kicks in afterwards. This is experience of kids at school I work at.

Rowgtfc72 · 21/12/2020 17:30

Dd took to her bed for three days with her headache . And was silent. My child is never still or silent so I can only assume it was reasonably bad.

doctorhamster · 21/12/2020 17:32

I thought you were only allowed to test of you have one of the symptoms on the NHS list. Why would you test for a headache?

tenlittlecygnets · 21/12/2020 18:05

@TheDayAfter - As far as I am aware, you should only have a test if there are also covid symptoms, as it only tests for coronavirus in general and not covid 19 specifically...so it could give you a positive when you just have a normal cold.

This is absolute nonsense. The Covid-19 test only tests for Covid-19, not other coronaviruses. Please don't spread such crap around.

tenlittlecygnets · 21/12/2020 18:07

See fullfact.org/health/coronavirus-pcr-test-accuracy/

janetmendoza · 21/12/2020 18:15

Really bad and my first symptom. Lasted for maybe three days.

DougRossIsTheBoss · 21/12/2020 18:15

Headache was the first symptom I had but it was very severe, disabling, agony despite paracetamol and ibuprofen and I had a temp the same time. It lasted about 3 days then went away to be replaced by severe muscle aches, crushing tiredness and a bit of shortness of breath and chest tightness.

Jamesandthecoldgun · 21/12/2020 18:16

I just had a headache that would not shift with painkillers, earache and feeling a bit tired and I tested positive recently.My partner has no symptoms and is also positive.

TheDayAfter · 21/12/2020 23:46

I worded it badly to be honest. I didn’t mean “tested for” but rather “picks up” in the test. Probably still not quite an accurate description. Here’s some more interesting reading on false positives and negatives. assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/895843/S0519_Impact_of_false_positives_and_negatives.pdf

FoxInABox · 21/12/2020 23:56

Just a thought but my DS had headaches and it turned out he needed glasses, so I would maybe book in the opticians for a check up to rule that out too. Hope he feels better soon