Learn 4 strange symptoms of the Corona virus

More than two years after the pandemic began, hundreds of thousands of Covid cases are still reported around the world every day.

With the advent of new variants, the Symptoms of covid disease It also evolved.

Initially, for example, the UK National Health Service (NHS), and the British SUS considered fever, cough, loss or change of smell or taste as the main symptoms that could indicate illness.

Now, recently updated NHS guidelines say we should watch for symptoms including sore throat, stuffy or runny nose, and Headache.

But what about some of the less obvious signs and symptoms? From skin lesions to hearing loss, new studies are increasingly showing us that the symptoms of Covid disease are not limited to a cold or… flu Normal.

1. Skin injuries

Skin problems associated with Covid are not uncommon. In fact, a British study published in 2021 found that one in five patients had only a rash and no other symptoms.

Covid-19 can affect the skin in several ways. Some people may have maculopapular rash (flat, raised spots), while others may have hives (raised, itchy spots).

So-called “Covid toes” are characterized by red, swollen or ulcerated skin lesions on the toes. These symptoms are more common in adolescents or young adults with mild or no symptoms.

Most skin lesions caused by the Covid virus tend to disappear after a few days or in some cases a few weeks without the need for any specific treatment.

However, if the skin itches or hurts severely, it is advisable to see a doctor who may recommend applying the cream.

2. “Covid nails”

During infection, including SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes covid-19), our body naturally tries to express that it is exposed to an unusual amount of stress.

“Covid nails” include changes such as:

• Beau lines: These are horizontal indentations that occur at the base of the nails or toenails when there is a temporary cessation of nail growth due to physical stress on the body.

• Leukonychia striatum: These are horizontal white streaks that appear on the nails, although this may be due to abnormal production of the protein in the nail bed.

• A red crescent shape appears at the base of the nails (the mechanism behind this change is unclear).

Data on how many people have these nail problems is limited, but it is estimated that they can affect 1% to 2% of Covid patients.

“Covid nails” tend to appear in the days or weeks after infection, as the nails grow back. While it may be painful at first, most nails tend to return to normal within a few weeks.

While these changes could be indicative of Covid disease, they could be caused by different things. For example, Poe’s lines could be the result of chemotherapy or another infection.

3. Hair loss

Hair loss is perhaps an underestimated symptom of Covid-19, often occurring a month or more after an acute infection.

In a study of nearly 6000 people who were infected with the new Corona VirusHair loss was the most common post-coronavirus symptom, reported by 48% of participants.

Hair loss has been particularly prevalent among people with severe Covid and white women.

It is believed that the reason for this is that the hair “feels” pressure on the body, which leads to excessive shedding.

In fact, hair loss can also be caused by other stressful events such as childbirth. The good news is that over time your hair will grow naturally.

4. Hearing loss and tinnitus (or tinnitus)

As with other viral infections such as flu it’s the measlesCOVID-19 has been found to affect cells of the inner ear, with hearing loss or tinnitus (a persistent ringing sensation in the ear) sometimes after infection.

In a study of 560 participants, hearing loss was reported in 3.1% of patients with covid-19, while tinnitus occurred in 4.5% of cases.

Another study, with 30 people diagnosed with covid-19 and 30 people without the disease, none of whom had pre-existing hearing problems, researchers found that covid-19 is associated with damage to the inner ear, which leads to hearing problems at longer frequencies . .

Although for most patients this resolves on its own, cases of permanent hearing loss associated with Covid have been reported.

Why do these symptoms appear?

We don’t understand exactly what causes these symptoms, but we do know that the most important role is played by a process called inflammation.

Inflammation is our body’s natural defense mechanism against pathogens. SARS-CoV-2 in this case. It involves the production of “cytokines” (also called cytokines), which are proteins important in controlling the activity of immune cells.

Overproduction of these proteins, as part of the inflammation caused by Covid infection, can cause sensory deficits, which may explain why some people develop hearing loss and tinnitus.

It can also modify the networks of capillaries, which are very small blood vessels that supply blood to organs, including the ears, skin, and nails.

The symptoms we describe here are not unique to Covid infection. However, if you notice any of these symptoms, you should get tested for coronavirus, especially if you are in an area where the virus is common.

You may also want to call your doctor, especially if your symptoms get worse or cause you severe discomfort. At the same time, rest assured that most of these symptoms will likely improve over time.

* Vasilius Vasilo is Professor of Cardiology, Rano Baral is a Visiting Research Fellow (FY2 Academic Institution), and Vasiliki Tsambasian is a Clinical Fellow in Cardiology at the University of East Anglia, UK.

This article was originally published on the academic news site The Conversation and is republished here under a Creative Commons license. Read the Spanish version here.