For one patient at least, a COVID-19 illness had a silver lining — a period of relief from the chronic migraines that plagued him for almost 40 years.

The German patient, aged 57 and with a “slim, athletic” build, experienced a lengthy break from very frequent migraine attacks with aura, following a SARS-CoV-2 infection. 

Prior to the illness, he reported that each migraine attack typically lasted 8-16 hours, according to Dr Roland Houben from University Hospital Würzburg.

When left untreated, the unilateral sharp pain severely affected his ability to participate in daily activities.