Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesTreatmentPreventionSeeking Medical Care
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Treatment
Prevention
Seeking Medical Care
Sore throat and headache are common symptoms that may occur together, like with the flu or allergies. Asore throatis pain or scratchiness of the throat, whereas aheadacheis pain or discomfort in the head or face.
This article will review the health conditions associated with a sore throat and headache. It will also explore the treatment and possible prevention of these conditions.
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Symptoms of Sore Throat and Headache
Symptoms of a sore throat or headache depend on the cause.
Sore Throat
A sore throat presents as a scratchy, uncomfortable, dry, or tender sensation in the throat. The discomfort or pain can be mild or severe and may worsen with swallowing or talking.
Signs and symptoms that can accompany a sore throat include:
Emergency Medical Help
Headache
Headaches vary in location, severity, and quality and are classified asprimaryorsecondaryheadaches.
Primary headaches have no underlying cause, whereas secondary headaches arise from an underlying health-related condition or other factor (e.g., illness or medication).
Two of the most common primary headaches are:
There are multiple secondary causes for a headache, and what the headache feels like depends on that underlying cause.
For example, asinus headachedevelops from inflammation, infection, or a sinus structural abnormality, likepolyps(benign growths) or cysts.
Sinus headaches cause dull pain or pressure in the forehead, cheeks, or behind the eyes. The pain often worsens when the affected person bends forward or lies down.
Most headaches are not dangerous except in rare instances. Call 911 or go to the emergency room if your or your child’s headache is:
What Causes Sore Throat and Headache?
A few health conditions can cause both sore throat and headache.
Viral Infections
Viral infectionsare illnesses you get from a tiny germ called a virus.
The following viral infections may cause both a sore throat and headache:
With these infections, a sore throat may develop from the offending virus attacking the back of the throat, causing it to swell and turn red.
Postnasal drip—when mucus in the nose and sinuses drips down the throat—also contributes to irritation, especially with viral sinusitis.
Viral infections can cause headaches for a few different reasons, such as:
What Is a COVID Headache Like?COVID-19 headachesare moderate to severe in intensity, occur on both sides of the head, and have a pressing or throbbing quality.
What Is a COVID Headache Like?
COVID-19 headachesare moderate to severe in intensity, occur on both sides of the head, and have a pressing or throbbing quality.
Bacterial Infections
Certain bacterial infections cause a sore throat and headache.
Group AStreptococcusinfection of the throat, which may involve the tonsils, is known asstrep throat. It occurs inup to 30% of children and 15% of adults with sore throats.
The bacteria from group AStreptococcusinflame the tonsils causing them to become red, swollen, tender, and sometimes streaked withpus(a whitish-yellow liquid).
Besides sore throat and other classic strep symptoms like fever and enlarged lymph nodes in the neck, headache may also be present, especially in children.
Meningitisis inflammation of the tissue covering the brain and spinal cord (meninges). It classically causes fever, neck stiffness, and headache. The meningitis headache is severe, felt all over the head, and may resemble a migraine.
Cold-like symptoms like a sore throat or cough may also occur in meningitis, sometimes before the onset of the headache. These cold-like symptoms are more typical of viral vs. bacterial meningitis.
Allergic Rhinitis
Allergicrhinitisdescribes inflammation of the inside of the nose due to exposure to specificallergens(harmless proteins that a person’s immune system may overreact to).
Postnasal drip can cause a sore throat in allergic rhinitis. Swelling and irritation of the throat may also cause it to feel itchy, along with the nose, eyes, and inner ears.
Nasal congestion with allergic rhinitis can trigger a headache. Sometimes, the headache associated with allergic rhinitis mimics that of a migraine.
Sinus Headache vs. Migraine: How to Tell the Difference
How to Treat Sore Throat and Headache
Various therapies treat conditions associated with a sore throat and headache.
Sore Throat Remedies
Most sore throats can be treated at home with an over-the-counter (OTC) pain reliever, such as:
Talk With a Healthcare ProfessionalBe sure to speak with a healthcare provider before taking any OTC drugs, as they may potentially cause harm. For example, NSAIDs can increase a person’s risk of stomach bleeding, heart attack, and stroke.
Talk With a Healthcare Professional
Be sure to speak with a healthcare provider before taking any OTC drugs, as they may potentially cause harm. For example, NSAIDs can increase a person’s risk of stomach bleeding, heart attack, and stroke.
Besides OTC pain relievers, various home remedies can help soothe throat pain. These include throat lozenges containing a numbing agent likebenzocaineand lemon tea mixed with honey.
Sometimes, a person may need another type of medication to treat the underlying cause of the sore throat (and headache).
For instance, a person with strep throat needs an antibiotic like Amoxil (amoxicillin). Likewise, a high-risk individual with influenza or COVID-19 may require an antiviral drug, such asTamiflu (oseltamivir)or Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir-ritonavir), respectively.
People with suspected EBV infections should be advised to refrain from contact sports owing to the increased risk ofsplenic rupturesecondary to EBV.
OTC Medications to Soothe a Sore Throat
Headache Remedies
Tylenol or an NSAID, the same OTC painkiller used to treat a sore throat, can alleviate headaches.Home remedies like placing a cold compress on your head or napping in a dark, quiet room can also be helpful.
As with sore throats, the root cause of the headache may require treatment with a prescription drug. For example, a person with meningitis requires treatment with intravenous (IV) antibiotics or antiviral drugs.
Likewise, a steroid nasal spray like Flonase (fluticasone propionate) is best for treating allergy-related symptoms.
In some cases, a particular type of headache medication is needed to relieve severe or persistent headaches. For instance, a person with severe migraine may require a triptan, such as Imitrex (sumatriptan).
Can Allergies Cause Headaches?
What About Young Children?
It’s essential to talk with a pediatrician if your child is experiencing a sore throat and headache. The above treatments may not be appropriate for them.
Notably, the NSAIDaspirinshould be avoided in kids under 19, as it’s linked to a potentially fatal condition calledReye’s syndrome. Also, avoid giving honey to babies under 1 year old to preventbotulism, a potentially fatal nervous system condition.
Lastly, children younger than 5 should not use throat lozenges for throat pain due to the risk of choking.
How to Prevent Sore Throat and Headache
Lastly,trigger avoidance, if possible, is a valuable preventive strategy for allergic rhinitis, a common cause of sore throat and headache.Skin testingat an allergist’s office can help identify specific allergens (substances that trigger an allergic reaction). Common ones include dust mites, mold, pet dander, and pollen from trees, grasses, and weeds.
How to Treat and Prevent Spring Allergies
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Most sore throats and headaches are not worrisome, though they sometimes can be the first signs of something serious in your body. See a healthcare provider if your or your child’s sore throat or headache is severe, persistent, or worsening.
Likewise, to be safe, if you have a headache, see a healthcare professional if you are pregnant, postpartum, or have a history of cancer or a weakened immune system.
Summary
Sore throat and headache may coexist in various health conditions, including strep throat, allergies, and viral infections like the flu and COVID-19. Over-the-counter pain relievers can often treat a sore throat and headache, although other medications or therapies may be needed, depending on the underlying cause.
22 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Tanz RR.Sore throat.Nelson Pediatric Symptom-Based Diagnosis. 2018:1–14.e2. doi:10.1016/B978-0-323-39956-2.00001-7American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery.Sore throats.Galioto NJ.Peritonsillar abscess.Am Fam Physician. 2017;95(8):501-506Rizzoli P, Mullally W.Headache.Am J Med. 2018;131(1):17-24. doi:10.1016/j.amjmed.2017.09.005Ceriani CE, Silberstein SD.Headache and rhinosinusitis: a review.Cephalalgia. 2021;41(4):453-463. doi:10.1177/0333102420959790Phu Do T, Remmers A, Schytz HW et al.Red and orange flags for secondary headaches in clinical practice: SNNOOP10 list.Neurology.2019;92(3):134-144. doi:10.1212/WNL.0000000000006697Lee WJ.Common cold and flu.Vitamin C in Human Health and Disease. 2019:89–100. doi:10.1007/978-94-024-1713-5_5Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Symptoms of COVID-19.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About infectious mononucleosis.National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Headache.Trigo J, García-Azorín D, Sierra-Mencía Á, et al.Cytokine and interleukin profile in patients with headache and COVID-19: a pilot, CASE-control, study on 104 patients.J Headache Pain. 2021;22(1):51. doi:10.1186/s10194-021-01268-wBolay H, Gül A, Baykan B.COVID-19 is a real headache!Headache. 2020;60(7):1415-1421. doi:10.1111/head.13856Sykes EA, Wu V, Beyea MM, Simpson MTW, Beyea JA.Pharyngitis: approach to diagnosis and treatment.Can Fam Physician. 2020;66(4):251-257Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Strep throat.National Headache Foundation.Meningitis.Gaillemin O, McGill F.Have a high index of suspicion for meningitis in adults.Practitioner.2016;260(1795):25-30Gryglas A.Allergic rhinitis and chronic daily headaches: is there a link?Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep. 2016;16(4):33. doi:10.1007/s11910-016-0631-zESCMID Sore Throat Guideline Group; Pelucchi C, Grigoryan L, et al.Guideline for the management of acute sore throat.Clin Microbiol Infect. 2012;18 Suppl 1:1-28. doi:10.1111/j.1469-0691.2012.03766.x Note: these are the most current clinical guidelines, so keepDavis A, Robson J.The dangers of NSAIDs: look both ways.Br J Gen Pract. 2016;66(645):172-173. doi:10.3399/bjgp16X684433Maisonneuve H, Sebo P, Sommer J, Gerner P, Winkler NE, Haller DM.Emploi des remèdes de grand-mère en ORL : la recherche éclaire nos pratiques et celles de nos patients [Use of non-pharmacological home remedies in ENT: research informs our practices and those of our patients].Rev Med Suisse. 2022;18(781):925-929. French. doi:10.53738/REVMED.2022.18.781.925Seidman MD, Gurgel RK, Lin SY, et al.Clinical practice guideline: allergic rhinitis.Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2015;152(1 Suppl):S1-43. doi:10.1177/0194599814561600Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Six tips to enhance immunity.
22 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Tanz RR.Sore throat.Nelson Pediatric Symptom-Based Diagnosis. 2018:1–14.e2. doi:10.1016/B978-0-323-39956-2.00001-7American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery.Sore throats.Galioto NJ.Peritonsillar abscess.Am Fam Physician. 2017;95(8):501-506Rizzoli P, Mullally W.Headache.Am J Med. 2018;131(1):17-24. doi:10.1016/j.amjmed.2017.09.005Ceriani CE, Silberstein SD.Headache and rhinosinusitis: a review.Cephalalgia. 2021;41(4):453-463. doi:10.1177/0333102420959790Phu Do T, Remmers A, Schytz HW et al.Red and orange flags for secondary headaches in clinical practice: SNNOOP10 list.Neurology.2019;92(3):134-144. doi:10.1212/WNL.0000000000006697Lee WJ.Common cold and flu.Vitamin C in Human Health and Disease. 2019:89–100. doi:10.1007/978-94-024-1713-5_5Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Symptoms of COVID-19.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About infectious mononucleosis.National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Headache.Trigo J, García-Azorín D, Sierra-Mencía Á, et al.Cytokine and interleukin profile in patients with headache and COVID-19: a pilot, CASE-control, study on 104 patients.J Headache Pain. 2021;22(1):51. doi:10.1186/s10194-021-01268-wBolay H, Gül A, Baykan B.COVID-19 is a real headache!Headache. 2020;60(7):1415-1421. doi:10.1111/head.13856Sykes EA, Wu V, Beyea MM, Simpson MTW, Beyea JA.Pharyngitis: approach to diagnosis and treatment.Can Fam Physician. 2020;66(4):251-257Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Strep throat.National Headache Foundation.Meningitis.Gaillemin O, McGill F.Have a high index of suspicion for meningitis in adults.Practitioner.2016;260(1795):25-30Gryglas A.Allergic rhinitis and chronic daily headaches: is there a link?Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep. 2016;16(4):33. doi:10.1007/s11910-016-0631-zESCMID Sore Throat Guideline Group; Pelucchi C, Grigoryan L, et al.Guideline for the management of acute sore throat.Clin Microbiol Infect. 2012;18 Suppl 1:1-28. doi:10.1111/j.1469-0691.2012.03766.x Note: these are the most current clinical guidelines, so keepDavis A, Robson J.The dangers of NSAIDs: look both ways.Br J Gen Pract. 2016;66(645):172-173. doi:10.3399/bjgp16X684433Maisonneuve H, Sebo P, Sommer J, Gerner P, Winkler NE, Haller DM.Emploi des remèdes de grand-mère en ORL : la recherche éclaire nos pratiques et celles de nos patients [Use of non-pharmacological home remedies in ENT: research informs our practices and those of our patients].Rev Med Suisse. 2022;18(781):925-929. French. doi:10.53738/REVMED.2022.18.781.925Seidman MD, Gurgel RK, Lin SY, et al.Clinical practice guideline: allergic rhinitis.Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2015;152(1 Suppl):S1-43. doi:10.1177/0194599814561600Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Six tips to enhance immunity.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Tanz RR.Sore throat.Nelson Pediatric Symptom-Based Diagnosis. 2018:1–14.e2. doi:10.1016/B978-0-323-39956-2.00001-7American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery.Sore throats.Galioto NJ.Peritonsillar abscess.Am Fam Physician. 2017;95(8):501-506Rizzoli P, Mullally W.Headache.Am J Med. 2018;131(1):17-24. doi:10.1016/j.amjmed.2017.09.005Ceriani CE, Silberstein SD.Headache and rhinosinusitis: a review.Cephalalgia. 2021;41(4):453-463. doi:10.1177/0333102420959790Phu Do T, Remmers A, Schytz HW et al.Red and orange flags for secondary headaches in clinical practice: SNNOOP10 list.Neurology.2019;92(3):134-144. doi:10.1212/WNL.0000000000006697Lee WJ.Common cold and flu.Vitamin C in Human Health and Disease. 2019:89–100. doi:10.1007/978-94-024-1713-5_5Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Symptoms of COVID-19.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About infectious mononucleosis.National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Headache.Trigo J, García-Azorín D, Sierra-Mencía Á, et al.Cytokine and interleukin profile in patients with headache and COVID-19: a pilot, CASE-control, study on 104 patients.J Headache Pain. 2021;22(1):51. doi:10.1186/s10194-021-01268-wBolay H, Gül A, Baykan B.COVID-19 is a real headache!Headache. 2020;60(7):1415-1421. doi:10.1111/head.13856Sykes EA, Wu V, Beyea MM, Simpson MTW, Beyea JA.Pharyngitis: approach to diagnosis and treatment.Can Fam Physician. 2020;66(4):251-257Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Strep throat.National Headache Foundation.Meningitis.Gaillemin O, McGill F.Have a high index of suspicion for meningitis in adults.Practitioner.2016;260(1795):25-30Gryglas A.Allergic rhinitis and chronic daily headaches: is there a link?Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep. 2016;16(4):33. doi:10.1007/s11910-016-0631-zESCMID Sore Throat Guideline Group; Pelucchi C, Grigoryan L, et al.Guideline for the management of acute sore throat.Clin Microbiol Infect. 2012;18 Suppl 1:1-28. doi:10.1111/j.1469-0691.2012.03766.x Note: these are the most current clinical guidelines, so keepDavis A, Robson J.The dangers of NSAIDs: look both ways.Br J Gen Pract. 2016;66(645):172-173. doi:10.3399/bjgp16X684433Maisonneuve H, Sebo P, Sommer J, Gerner P, Winkler NE, Haller DM.Emploi des remèdes de grand-mère en ORL : la recherche éclaire nos pratiques et celles de nos patients [Use of non-pharmacological home remedies in ENT: research informs our practices and those of our patients].Rev Med Suisse. 2022;18(781):925-929. French. doi:10.53738/REVMED.2022.18.781.925Seidman MD, Gurgel RK, Lin SY, et al.Clinical practice guideline: allergic rhinitis.Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2015;152(1 Suppl):S1-43. doi:10.1177/0194599814561600Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Six tips to enhance immunity.
Tanz RR.Sore throat.Nelson Pediatric Symptom-Based Diagnosis. 2018:1–14.e2. doi:10.1016/B978-0-323-39956-2.00001-7
American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery.Sore throats.
Galioto NJ.Peritonsillar abscess.Am Fam Physician. 2017;95(8):501-506
Rizzoli P, Mullally W.Headache.Am J Med. 2018;131(1):17-24. doi:10.1016/j.amjmed.2017.09.005
Ceriani CE, Silberstein SD.Headache and rhinosinusitis: a review.Cephalalgia. 2021;41(4):453-463. doi:10.1177/0333102420959790
Phu Do T, Remmers A, Schytz HW et al.Red and orange flags for secondary headaches in clinical practice: SNNOOP10 list.Neurology.2019;92(3):134-144. doi:10.1212/WNL.0000000000006697
Lee WJ.Common cold and flu.Vitamin C in Human Health and Disease. 2019:89–100. doi:10.1007/978-94-024-1713-5_5
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Symptoms of COVID-19.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About infectious mononucleosis.
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Headache.
Trigo J, García-Azorín D, Sierra-Mencía Á, et al.Cytokine and interleukin profile in patients with headache and COVID-19: a pilot, CASE-control, study on 104 patients.J Headache Pain. 2021;22(1):51. doi:10.1186/s10194-021-01268-w
Bolay H, Gül A, Baykan B.COVID-19 is a real headache!Headache. 2020;60(7):1415-1421. doi:10.1111/head.13856
Sykes EA, Wu V, Beyea MM, Simpson MTW, Beyea JA.Pharyngitis: approach to diagnosis and treatment.Can Fam Physician. 2020;66(4):251-257
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Strep throat.
National Headache Foundation.Meningitis.
Gaillemin O, McGill F.Have a high index of suspicion for meningitis in adults.Practitioner.2016;260(1795):25-30
Gryglas A.Allergic rhinitis and chronic daily headaches: is there a link?Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep. 2016;16(4):33. doi:10.1007/s11910-016-0631-z
ESCMID Sore Throat Guideline Group; Pelucchi C, Grigoryan L, et al.Guideline for the management of acute sore throat.Clin Microbiol Infect. 2012;18 Suppl 1:1-28. doi:10.1111/j.1469-0691.2012.03766.x Note: these are the most current clinical guidelines, so keep
Davis A, Robson J.The dangers of NSAIDs: look both ways.Br J Gen Pract. 2016;66(645):172-173. doi:10.3399/bjgp16X684433
Maisonneuve H, Sebo P, Sommer J, Gerner P, Winkler NE, Haller DM.Emploi des remèdes de grand-mère en ORL : la recherche éclaire nos pratiques et celles de nos patients [Use of non-pharmacological home remedies in ENT: research informs our practices and those of our patients].Rev Med Suisse. 2022;18(781):925-929. French. doi:10.53738/REVMED.2022.18.781.925
Seidman MD, Gurgel RK, Lin SY, et al.Clinical practice guideline: allergic rhinitis.Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2015;152(1 Suppl):S1-43. doi:10.1177/0194599814561600
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Six tips to enhance immunity.
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