Symptom 7: Headache’s Hold: Beyond the Typical Tension
It’s easy to dismiss a headache as a result of a stressful day. However, when coupled with mononucleosis, it becomes part of a broader pattern of symptoms that the body manifests.
Unlike the common tension headaches or migraines, the headaches stemming from mononucleosis have a unique characteristic. They’re not just any random pain; they’re a direct consequence of the body’s inflammatory response to the Epstein-Barr virus.
These headaches are sneaky. They start subtly, almost whispering at the back of your head, and can crescendo into a throbbing pain that makes even blinking seem arduous.
But why the head, you wonder? It’s an echo of the body-wide inflammation that mononucleosis induces. The brain, encased within the skull, reacts to this inflammation, leading to the pain we perceive as a headache. (7)
