Cephalalgia: The most common COVID symptom in those vaccinated with single dose

Over the past two years, COVID symptoms have changed significantly. During the first and the second wave in India, the physical ailments related to a coronavirus infection were more severe than what we got to witness during the Omicron wave. While earlier, high fever, cough, loss of sense of smell and taste, shortness of breath and chest pain were some of the most commonly reported symptoms, with the emergence of the Omicron variant, milder symptoms such as those resembling a cold or a flu became predominant.

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Studies have suggested that a person's vaccination status may determine the kind of symptoms he or she experiences. Earlier, UK's ZOE COVID study had listed five common symptoms seen in people who have been fully vaccinated against the coronavirus. These included sore throat, runny nose, blocked nose, persistent cough and headache.

Now, the team of researchers claim that the 'top' COVID symptom may be different from those who are vaccinated with just one dose.

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According to the ZOE Health Study, a health research project that collects data from COVID-19 patients, cephalalgia is the most commonly reported symptom in people who have been vaccinated with a single vaccination dose.

Cephalalgia is a scientific term for headache.

The study says that headache is currently one of the “earliest” signs of COVID and more common than the “classic” symptoms like cough, fever and loss of smell.

“It’s important to remember that headaches are very common, especially as many of us are staring at screens for so long each day." the researchers said.

“So although many people with COVID-19 experience headaches, most people with a headache will not have COVID-19.

“Researchers have been investigating how to tell the difference between Covid and non-Covid headaches."

Some experts say that COVID headaches can feel like tension headaches, that induce mild to moderate pain, leading to tightness, or pressure around your forehead or the back of your head and neck.

Some of the characteristics include:

- Moderate to severe pain in the head

- Pulsing, pressing or stabbing pain

- Pain on both sides of the head

- Lasting for more than three days

- Resistant or non-responsive to regular painkillers

However it is important to note that all headaches do not necessarily mean COVID-19. One must visit the doctor and discuss all the related symptoms and find the source of the problem.

The UK National Health Services (NHS) recommends:

- Drinking plenty of water and staying hydrated

- Getting plenty of rest if you have a cold or the flu

- Relaxing, as stress can make headaches worse

- Taking prescription medicines to ease the pain

Other common COVID symptoms reported in single jabbed patients include:

- Runny nose

- Sore throat

- Sneezing

- Persistent cough.

The study says, “As we can see, after the protection from only one vaccine, one of the original indicators of a persistent cough has made the top five symptoms, but still comes below sneezing and a runny nose in rankings, which were previously thought to be unrelated to infection.”

The best way to curb the spread of the virus or to avoid contracting the infection is by wearing well-fitted masks, maintaining social distance, following proper hand hygiene and getting yourself vaccinated.

While breakthrough infections are still a possibility, the chances of experiencing severe COVID-19 symptoms is significantly reduced, as per experts.