It seems that the pain and pain of the flu is not always serious enough, and many patients will also experience severe headaches. May be caused by fever or dehydration, which is often improved by over-the-counter painkillers such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and adequate fluid intake to prevent dehydration. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that more than 16 million Americans suffer from the flu each year, and headache is a common symptom. How common? In a study of 56 patients with confirmed influenza, 91% had headaches.
A man holding an ice pack. (Source: AndreyPopov / iStock / Getty Images) OTC headache treatment
The flu often causes fever, headaches and other symptoms such as body aches. When the headache is caused by a fever, acetaminophen or ibuprofen helps lower body temperature and reduce headaches. Some doctors recommend alternating use of acetaminophen and ibuprofen to reduce fever, and studies in children have shown that alternating the use of these two drugs can reduce fever more quickly than using one drug alone. In addition, the swollen nasal membrane and large amounts of mucus are usually accompanied by the flu, resulting in a stuffy head and may cause sinus pressure and headache. Your doctor may recommend OTC decongestants to treat this type of headache.
Dehydration headache treatment
Dehydration refers to abnormally low body fluids. According to a study published in the August 2010 Nutrition Review, this situation often causes headaches. If dehydration is mild, then foods that eat high moisture and drinking water or sports drinks that contain electrolytes (such as potassium or sodium) can help replenish moisture. For example, grapes and oranges contain at least 80% water. When dehydration becomes severe, hospitalization is required, so intravenous infusion can enter the bloodstream directly.
Headache and Antiviral Therapy
If you are experiencing the first day of the flu, your doctor may prescribe antiviral drugs. In general, antiviral drugs can help stop headaches and other symptoms faster than without treatment. However, in drug trials, antiviral drugs such as tasfluide are associated with side effects including headache. The American Society of Infectious Diseases guidelines provide some adviceIndividuals with laboratory-confirmed or highly suspected influenza should be vaccinated with antiviral drugs - including those requiring hospitalization and those at risk of complications at home, such as pneumonia or bronchitis. People with cancer or diabetes, adults 65 years of age and older, and children under 2 years of age are also included.
Warning about flu headaches
Adults may take aspirin to treat flu-related headaches. However, children and adolescents 18 years of age and younger should not take aspirin - its use may cause Reye's syndrome, a life-threatening disease. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke describes Reye syndrome as a rare but serious disease that causes brain swelling and liver failure. A child with a headache, not aspirin, can be treated with acetaminophen or ibuprofen in children. Headaches caused by other causes - such as secondary infections after the flu - are also treated with antibiotics.
