Can Long COVID Cause Migraine or Make it Worse?

Day 2 (2026)

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Key Questions

How can viral or bacterial infections trigger the onset or worsening of migraine disease?
What does the link between infection and migraine disease reveal about the immune system and the brain?
What has research observed regarding new or worsened migraine symptoms following COVID-19 infection? Do these symptoms improve over time?
Can long COVID cause changes in migraine type, such as from episodic to chronic or from classic to vestibular migraine?
Does having chronic migraine increase the risk of long COVID or other neurological symptoms?
How should individuals with migraine disease approach COVID-19 vaccination, and is it considered safe and beneficial?
Are there shared underlying mechanisms between long COVID–related migraine disease and conditions like Ehlers-Danlos syndrome or autonomic dysfunction (e.g., POTS)?
For those whose migraine disease began or worsened after COVID-19 infection, are standard treatments still effective?
What is the role of pacing, rest, and rehabilitation in managing fatigue and brain fog alongside migraine disease, and how is “energy” defined in this context?
What areas of ongoing research offer hope for improving migraine care and understanding long COVID?
What message of reassurance or hope can be offered to people whose migraine started or worsened after COVID-19 infection?

Interview Notes

Treatments Mentioned

Ibuprofen
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
SEEDS (sleep, eating, exercise, diary, stress)
Vaccines (e.g., flu, COVID-19, polio, measles)

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Disclaimer: The Migraine World Summit aims to bring you a variety of perspectives and expertise, free from bias or judgment. Alternative theories presented in this video have not been medically reviewed. Views expressed in this interview do not necessarily represent the views of the Migraine World Summit. Please always consult your health care professional and do your own research before making changes to your treatment plan. Captions are auto-generated and may contain errors.

Expert

Patricia Pozo-Rosich, MD, PhD

Head of the Neurology Department
Vall d’Hebron University Hospital and Institute of Research

Patricia Pozo-Rosich, MD, PhD, is a neurologist and one of Europe’s leading migraine experts. She leads the Neurology Department at Vall d’Hebron University Hospital in Barcelona and directs the Migraine Adaptive Brain Center, a national reference center focused on advancing migraine research and care. She also heads the Headache Research Laboratory at the Vall d’Hebron Institute of Research (VHIR) and serves as president-elect of the International Headache Society.

Dr. Pozo-Rosich is deeply committed to helping people understand migraine as a complex neurological disorder and improving access to effective treatment. She founded the Spanish-language education site MiDolordeCabeza.org and has authored more than 250 scientific publications. Her work has received multiple national awards, and she serves as associate editor for leading headache journals. She has been principal investigator in more than 100 clinical trials and is an active member of international headache genetics consortiums.