When your child complains of a headache, it's easy to worry and feel like rushing straight to the doctor. Just like adults, there are common causes of headaches in kids that are manageable, such as common colds and flu.
Common causes of headache include tiredness, stress and symptoms associated with viral infections.
So with cold and flu season upon us, sore heads may pop up too. These can be uncomfortable and upsetting for your little one.
It's not unusual for children to get a headache when they come down with a cold or flu.
This may be accompanied by other symptoms for example, fever and loss of appetite due to a virus may lead to headaches from dehydration. Fever may present itself as sweating and chills, and may be present along with the headache. Alternatively, if your child has a runny or stuffy nose from a cold, a headache may result from a swelling of the sinuses and present as aching in the sinus area.
Colds can cause sinuses to become inflamed and swell up. This inflammation of the sinuses may, in some cases lead to a sinus infection that needs medical attention. While colds and sinus infections share a lot of symptoms, a key difference is how long the symptoms last. Most people who have a cold will recover in 7 to 10 days* while, even with the right medical intervention, symptoms of a sinus infection can last for up to 12 weeks.
Did you know that a cold can lead to a sinus infection? But it must be medically diagnosed to be sure. If your child has blocked, stuffy nose, discoloured nasal discharge, and/or cough lasting for more than 10 days, they may have a sinus infection. Your doctor can help determine whether it is a viral or bacterial infection, and let you know how it needs to be treated.
If your child has any signs or symptoms of a sinus infection check with a healthcare professional about testing to exclude the possibility of COVID-19, which may present with similar signs or symptoms.
When your child is complaining of a headache in association with a cold, a good first step is to try to assess the pain. At different ages, children have different abilities and degrees of understanding for self-reporting their levels of pain. For example, around ages five to six, children are beginning to gain a better understanding of the pain they're feeling. For younger kids, it can be trickier to get information out of them; you may have to get a little creative.
For cold and flu season, the pain reliever you are looking for may be in your medicine cabinet. Medicines can't cure a common cold or flu, but you can relieve symptoms, including headaches, by using anti-inflammatory agents such as Nurofen for Children. Of course, if your child’s pain concerns you, seek advice from your healthcare professional.
*Jaume F, et al. Curr Allergy Asthma Rep 2020.
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First published: 25th May 2021
Last updated: 4th June 2025
This article is for general information only and not intended as a substitute for medical advice. All information presented on these web pages is not meant to diagnose or prescribe. In all health-related matters, always consult your healthcare professional.
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