Severe headache?

ihearttc · 2020-10-23T07:22:44+00:00

DS1 is 15 (in Y11) and care home Wednesday night with a severe headache. Gave him painkillers and just thought he was exhausted from school. It’s now Friday morning and the headache is still there, nothing is shifting it. He finished Wednesday for half term so no school yesterday. He has no other symptoms apart from aching legs. No temp, no cough and no loss of smell. Is it worth testing him? He is literally never ill so it’s a bit bizarre.

Northernsoullover · 23/10/2020 08:24

Yes, headache is a common symptom. I reckon its present in 90% of the Covid-19 positive people I speak to (which is a lot)

Porcupineinwaiting · 23/10/2020 08:27

I would (because I've known a lot of people start this way). But - strictly speaking - he doesnt meet the criteria.

Test or not, do call your gp. Headaches that wont quit do at least warrant a conversation with a doctor.

toomuchtoworryabout · 23/10/2020 08:29

I would get him tested.
My friend tested positive a few days ago. She had none of the ‘typical’ symptoms but she did have minor aches, headache and just felt a bit generally unwell. She only got a test because her husband is a bit of a worrier and also has an underlying health condition.

I guess what I’m trying to say is that aches and pains can be symptoms, just not the classic ones.
It is hard to know what to do for the best sometimes but I would want to know one way or the other, to protect others if nothing else.

Berthatydfil · 23/10/2020 08:29

I personally know of 3 people who have had severe headache and tested positive - all young adults under 25. One was also displaying neck pain and light sensitivity,

WishITookLifeSeriously · 23/10/2020 08:30

I think the headache needs to be a given symptom. I only got my ds tested because he felt hot. Other than the headache he wasn't really poorly at all but said the headache was blinding.
ExH has now tested positive and has more symptoms develop such as the cough but it all started with the headache. Everyone I know who has tested positive has mentioned the headache

Lipz · 23/10/2020 08:31

Yes, headaches are common, my sil had one for 2 weeks. She still gets them pretty bad and she had covid in April.

Original poster

ihearttc · 23/10/2020 08:32

I get headaches all the time so wouldn’t have thought much about it if it was me but it’s very unusual for him to complain of one.

OP posts:

Newgirls · 23/10/2020 08:33

I had a bad headache back in March that lasted a few days and needed painkillers. I never get them. Looking back we must have been exposed to the virus and youngest had a cough. No tests.

It seems easier to get a test at the moment so why not give it a go.

Original poster

ihearttc · 23/10/2020 08:34

Thank you everyone, I’m not one to jump at the first sign of something and assume it’s Covid however it’s so unusual for him to say that he’s in pain and to ask for painkillers that it must be bad. I shall see if I can get him a test. Assume no one else needs one as we don’t have symptoms?

OP posts:

Porcupineinwaiting · 23/10/2020 08:36

Yes, no need to test the rest of you.

ShowOfHands · 23/10/2020 08:38

My 13yo DD had a headache with it. It was her main symptom for the first 3 days. We tested because she had a temperature at 2am too (gone by morning) and there were confirmed cases at school. The headache was persistent and didn't ease off for 4/5 days.

Mindymomo · 23/10/2020 08:56

Unfortunately headache alone, you won’t be offered a test unless he has one of the 3 symptoms, so check his temperature, maybe that’s a little raised. The rest of you don’t need a test, but if you think he has covid symptoms, you will all have to self isolate until he gets result.

Original poster

ihearttc · 23/10/2020 09:00

@Mindymomo would you believe I don’t actually own a thermometer...that’s how often my children are ill!! However he does feel a little warm if I touch him.

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Char2015 · 23/10/2020 09:03

OP, so you are going to get a test when your child doesn't have the symptoms that warrants getting a test. Are you going to lie to get one?

thisyeargoodyear · 23/10/2020 09:08

I tested positive for Covid and my first symptom was a terrible headaches with aversion to light and noise. I was taking painkillers regularly but it was not really helping. By day 3 I had lost all sense of smell which is when I got my test and tested positive. I am now on day 10 and my head is back to hurting again (I have only had a temperature on one day and had no cough or chest pain or shortness of breath). I have also had terrible nausea and stomach complains throughout. I am 34 and otherwise healthy. From my research, headaches are very common with Covid.

Jrobhatch29 · 23/10/2020 09:09

I know of someone who has covid a few weeks ago and had headaches were main symptom

Mindymomo · 23/10/2020 09:12

If he feels warm, then could be a temperature, that’s enough to get a test.

LetsGoFlyAKiteee · 23/10/2020 09:21

I'd get one..2 people I know started with a headache then the rest of the symptoms followed days later.

Northernsoullover · 23/10/2020 09:25

Char FFS headache is a covid symptom. It might not be one of the crappy top 3 which is the UKs wonderful criteria but its not like he is completely fit and well and going for a test for shits and giggles. People who waste tests are those who are completely fit and well but go 'just in case' because Fred next door tested positive. Or johnnys year group got sent home so the whole family of Johnny (also fit and well) get themselves tested because its a nice day out.

Original poster

ihearttc · 23/10/2020 09:35

@Char2015

Honestly I’m not one for assuming it’s Covid with any cough/sniffle or even temperature. I’m a TA and have been in school throughout and managed to get to now without even the slightest hint of needing a test. However he is 15 and in the last year of his GCSE’s and is never ever ill. I think the last time he went to see the GP was when he was 8 so for him to say he feels ill with a headache like he has never experienced before is slightly worrying. As I have now found out, headache is a symptom. It may not be one of the 3 main ones. He does feel warm but as I haven’t got a thermometer I have no idea if he has got a thermometer or not. Trust me I would never do a test if I wasn’t genuinely concerned.

OP posts:

Char2015 · 23/10/2020 09:35

@Northernsoullover

Char FFS headache is a covid symptom. It might not be one of the crappy top 3 which is the UKs wonderful criteria

but its not like he is completely fit and well and going for a test for shits and giggles. People who waste tests are those who are completely fit and well but go 'just in case' because Fred next door tested positive. Or johnnys year group got sent home so the whole family of Johnny (also fit and well) get themselves tested because its a nice day out.

Nowhere did I say that it wasn't a covid symptom and nowhere did I say it would be a waste of a test. I work for the NHS and NHS workers criteria for testing includes headaches so I'm very well aware of what symptoms comes with covid. I'm also fully aware that when you book a test you have to say whether you have any of the main 3 symptoms. OP's child didn't at time of initially posting and that was my very point - how would OP get around booking test. So perhaps go take your anger and sarcasm elsewhere instead of trying to imply I have said/implied things I quite clearly haven't.

Char2015 · 23/10/2020 09:39

[quote ihearttc]@Char2015

Honestly I’m not one for assuming it’s Covid with any cough/sniffle or even temperature. I’m a TA and have been in school throughout and managed to get to now without even the slightest hint of needing a test. However he is 15 and in the last year of his GCSE’s and is never ever ill. I think the last time he went to see the GP was when he was 8 so for him to say he feels ill with a headache like he has never experienced before is slightly worrying. As I have now found out, headache is a symptom. It may not be one of the 3 main ones. He does feel warm but as I haven’t got a thermometer I have no idea if he has got a thermometer or not. Trust me I would never do a test if I wasn’t genuinely concerned.[/quote]
I understand - I'm just asking how will you get one when you can only get one for 3 main symptoms? But if he now feels hot (you don't need a thermometer, you know what is normal and what isn't) - that would definitely warrant being able to order a test.

Northernsoullover · 23/10/2020 09:57

I'm not angry. I'm just fed up with people who have symptoms pilloried because they can't honestly say that they have the 'top 3' when so many 'worried well' treat it as a day out. I work in communicable diseases so have a lot of experience of Covid symptoms and saying (as you did) that the OP would be lying is quite unfair. Direct your feelings about this to the government maybe?
I wish the government would stress to people that they should not test if they are free of symptoms but widen the existing ones to include headaches and sinus pain as we are seeing an awful lot of this in positive cases

Silversun83 · 23/10/2020 10:29

@Char2015

OP, so you are going to get a test when your child doesn't have the symptoms that warrants getting a test. Are you going to lie to get one?

Doesn't the website still give you the option to go for a test even if you say no to the three symptoms?

MyWedding · 23/10/2020 10:48

Yes I would definitely get a test. 4 friends, who all tested positive, had a severe headache, aching bones. I had a test last week as I had severe headache and I am positive. So yes I would get a test, just say on the form fever as well otherwise you won't meet criteria for a test.