headache or headaches

[Jilibili]

Hi

Should we pluralize aches because of the pronoun?

They have a headache or They have headaches?

 

[Rover_KE]

They have headaches.

 

[Boris Tatarenko]

Is it natural to say "they have a headache"? I bet I heard it!:-D

 

[MikeNewYork]

Multiple people cannot share a headache.

 

[Jilibili]

Is this even true about cold?

 

[emsr2d2]

Yes.

Q: Why are six kids off school today?
A: They all have a cold.

 

[konungursvia]

Multiple people cannot share a headache.

Unless it's their boss.

 

[Jilibili]

I'm getting confused here. So which one is correct?

They have a cold or colds?

 

[Rover_KE]

I'm getting confused here. So which one is correct?

They have a cold or colds?

There is no definitive answer.

As you can see from the above, both versions are used by native speakers.