Headaches
Upper respiratory infections (URIs) are viral infections of the nose and throat, like the common cold. When people have a URI, their nose is typically blocked and runny, they can have a sore throat, and it may be difficult to breathe. Other common symptoms include cough, sneezing, fever, fatigue, headache, and chills.
Headaches can be a symptom of an upper respiratory infection. However, the connection is not clear-cut in all cases; some people with URIs will have headaches while others will not. The reason for headaches is likely because inflammation plays an important role in the URI symptoms and the headache itself.
Inflammation at the site of pain causes pain by activating nerve endings and sending signals. For example, in a headache caused by an upper respiratory infection, inflammation occurs at the back of the nasal cavity and sinuses. The brain interprets these signals as pain messages from outside the brain. As a result, you feel a headache coming on.
