9 unexpected symptoms of coronavirus that definitely need to stay at home

1. Stomach pain, diarrhea

This is one of the earliest non-standard symptoms, which doctors reported back in February. According to some reports, digestive problems occur in about every second. Clinical characteristics of COVID-19 patients with digestive symptoms in Hubei, China: a descriptive, cross-sectional, multicenter study of the patient.

When it comes to COVID-19, after digestive disorders, as a rule, there are classic signs of coronavirus infection. But sometimes (in about 3% of cases), nausea, diarrhea and short-term pain in the stomach area are limited. In this case, a person who has suffered COVID-19 attributes his symptoms to mild food poisoning and does not even understand what he has had.

2. Loss of smell and taste

In about 30% of those infected, the main manifestation of the disease is complete or partial loss of smell (anosmia). Loss of sense of smell as a marker of COVID-19 infection was reported by experts from the British Association of Otorhinolaryngology.

Claire Hopkins President, British Rhinological Society, for The New York Times

Anyone who develops a loss of smell must self-isolate. Lost Sense of Smell May Be Peculiar Clue to Coronavirus Infection.

The British relied on statistics collected, in particular, in South Korea. However, the virus mutates and in other countries the distribution may be different. For example, in Germany Clue to Infection, anosmia is the main symptom in two out of three confirmed cases of coronavirus infection.

Loss of taste can be a side effect of olfactory dysfunction.

3. Headache

This symptom of COVID-19 was one of the first in about 8% of Clinical features of patients infected with 2019 novel coronavirus in Wuhan, China. In the Report of the WHO-China Joint Mission on Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) WHO, which analyzed the medical records of more than 55 thousand patients from China, headache is mentioned in 13% of cases.

Doctors suggest that Some Coronavirus Patients Show Signs of Brain Ailments are related to a decrease in oxygen levels in the blood, due to the fact that the virus partially infects the lungs. But so far this is only a hypothesis.

4. Dizziness, unusual sleepiness, memory problems

A headache may indicate that the coronavirus is attacking the nervous system.

Researchers at Huazhong University of Science and Technology in Wuhan have established Neurologic Manifestations of Hospitalized Patients With Coronavirus Disease 2019 in Wuhan, China that about one in three infected people have other neurological manifestations. Specifically, dizziness, blurred consciousness, unusual sleepiness, and memory problems.

5. Mild convulsions

The neurological activity of the coronavirus can make itself felt by Neurologic Manifestations of Hospitalized Patients With Coronavirus Disease 2019 in Wuhan, China and barely noticeable cramps, goosebumps, feeling as if an electric current is being passed through the limbs.

6. Muscle pain, palpable muscle weakness

The Report of the WHO-China Joint Mission on Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is reported by up to 15% of those infected with severe muscle and joint pain. Muscle weakness is even more common - 38% of people who test positive for COVID-19 report it as one of the main symptoms.

Muscle pain and weakness can be complemented by other signs of coronavirus infection. But sometimes, with a mild course of the disease, they remain the only symptoms.

7. Reddened eyes, conjunctivitis

Experts from the American Academy of Ophthalmology report to Important coronavirus updates for ophthalmologists that in some cases, the coronavirus can cause redness and inflammation of the lining of the eyes (conjunctivitis). This symptom is thought to occur if SARS ‑ CoV ‑ 2 enters the body through the mucous membrane of the eyes.

Therefore, those who have close contact with COVID-19 patients should cover their eyes - with glasses or a mask so that they do not get infected saliva particles.

8. Bruises on the legs

Unusual bruising spots on the skin of the feet some researchers call What are ‘COVID toes’? Dermatologists, podiatrists share strange findings "new anosmia".

This curious symptom was reported to the Registro De Casos Compatibles COVID-19 by Spanish orthopedists. In a statement from the General Council of Spain's official orthopedic colleges, “These are purple lesions, very similar to those found in chickenpox or measles. They usually appear in the area of the toes and heal over time without leaving any marks on the skin."

Most often, such spots appear in children and adolescents, but sometimes they are also fixed in adults.

9. Pain in the testicles

This is one of the most unusual symptoms that Abdominal and testicular pain: An atypical presentation of COVID-19 has been found by researchers at Harvard Medical School.

They describe the case of a 42-year-old man. He turned to the doctors with the only complaint - strange "stabbing pains" in the testicles, which radiated to the stomach, side, back and chest. Only when the doctors could not establish the cause of the discomfort and sent the man for a comprehensive examination did he show damage to the lungs. The test for coronavirus infection was positive. At the same time, the patient had no fever, no cough, or other classic signs of COVID-19 at that time.

Of course, this is an isolated case. However, doctors are increasingly inclined to think that SARS ‑ CoV ‑ 2 is a “multidisciplinary” virus that can manifest itself through disruptions in the work of various organs. Therefore, almost any health problem in the midst of a pandemic should be considered as a possible sign of infection.

So stay home and try to keep physical contact with other people to a minimum. At least until scientists learn more about the coronavirus and find a way to effectively counter it.