Lesser-Known Symptoms That Could Be Linked to Covid-19

What are the more unusual symptoms of corona/ COVID-19, and what should we be watching out for? Other symptoms that have also become common in patients are the loss of taste or smell, fatigue, a runny nose, and diarrhea.

The news of these non-respiratory effects started to build as physicians began treating more patients; much of the present scientific understanding is still in its infancy and not backed by enough research. But recognizing they exist can help healthcare professionals spot them sooner and possibly minimize their effects.

Unusual COVID-19 Symptoms You Might Miss

1. COVID-19 toes and skin rashes 

It is not uncommon to see skin rashes in someone with a viral infection; what is unclear about COVID-19 is whether the rashes associated with infection are specific to the virus, meaning there is an actual virus in the skin, or if they are an expression of the immune system responding to the virus that is somewhere in your body.

COVID-19 toes can be found on the sole or side of the foot and, in some cases, have been seen on fingers and hands. Physicians have reported a range of skin-associated conditions that might be related to COVID-19, including hive-like eruptions, head-to-toe red rashes, rashes, and blisters, spreading across bigger patches of skin.

[Also Read: Home Remedies for Skin Rashes]

2. Conjunctivitis or pink eye

The College of Optometrists and The Royal College of Ophthalmologists (RCOphth) has reported that in any upper respiratory tract infection, there is a possibility that it could end up in viral conjunctivitis. They stressed that this would be a secondary complication in viruses such as the COVID-19.

[Also Read: Natural Treatment for Pink Eye]

3. Gastrointestinal symptoms

It has now become evident that not all of those infected with COVID-19 display the classic respiratory symptoms that physicians focused on early in the pandemic; most people only experience nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting.

Acknowledging that COVID-19 can affect the respiratory system and gut is critical, particularly when it comes to preventing the spread of infection.[1]

4. Renal symptoms

Your gut is not the only soft target for the virus. Few research studies have reported finding SARS-CoV-2 virus in infected patients’ urine, although elaborate studies of kidney tissues so far are not conclusive.

But among hospitalized patients, for instance, physicians are finding hints of proteins and microscopic amounts of blood in the urine, both of which are signs of cellular injury to the kidneys even if the patients do not report any symptoms [2].

5. Hepatic symptoms

Moreover, over 50 percent of the COVID-19 patients seem to have lower-than-normal or elevated levels of liver enzymes, which could indicate that the virus has invaded the organ. Combined, those two facts make it logical to question whether the virus can injure and infect the liver.

Luckily, present data suggest that COVID-19 does not cause dramatic liver failure.

6. Stroke and blood clots

One of the risks of COVID-19 cases has to do with blood clots, including those that can lead to stroke. However, some researchers believe SARS-CoV-2 could be particularly damaging the circulatory system.

As with lungs, kidney, liver, and intestinal cells, blood vessel cells also carry the ACE2 (Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2) receptors, which means the virus could be directly infecting the cells that line the vessels and, therefore, contributing to clot formations of minute blood clots in multiple organs.

[Also Read: Natural Ways to get rid of Blood Clots]

7. Altered smell and taste

Another group of intriguing reports from people affected by COVID-19 has to do with their taste and odor loss. Most of us are aware of the way congestion from allergies or a cold can impact these senses. The damage may be caused by the inflammatory reaction that causes tissues to compress and swell the nerves or more direct viral infection.

Nearly 80% also lacked an appetite,” says studies about those patients researched in China. Given that some infected individuals also lose their sense of smell and taste, it’s not unusual that they wouldn’t crave food.

8. You’ve Taken a Fall

Among older adults, a COVID-19 infection can be accompanied by confusion and disorientation. Experts from the University of Lausanne Hospital published clinical guidelines in the Revue Medicale Suisse for diagnosing senior patients with COVID-19.

The common symptoms they highlighted included delirium and falls in addition to GI issues and fevers.

9. You Feel Like You Had a Stroke

You might have, and it might have been tied to the coronavirus. Among adult patients, scientists around the globe have observed a correlation between dangerous blood clots and SARS-CoV-2 infection, even among patients who wouldn’t generally be at risk.

In a recent study in the New England Journal of Medicine, scientists described 5 patients between the ages of 33 and 49 in New York City who were admitted to the hospital suffering severe strokes in conjunction with corona. Only 1 had a prior history of stroke.

10. You Have a Fever—And Don’t Know It

In the recent past, an air passenger deboarded a plane in Honolulu, Hawaii, and he said he felt just okay. But when the airport authorities checked his temperature, he had a fever—and, after a swab test, he tested positive for COVID-19.

He had no signs and felt fine; he had no shortness of breath; he had no cough and was surprised that the officials found a fever. The takeaway: Check your temperature occasionally even if you think you’re fine.

[Also Read: Home Remedies for Fever]

Don’t Forget These Most Common Symptoms

According to the CDC: “COVID-19 affects multiple people in multiple ways. Infected individuals have had a wide range of symptoms reported—from severe illness to mild symptoms.

Symptoms that may appear two to fourteen days after exposure to the virus:

• Cough
• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath 

Or at least two of the following:

• Chills
• Fever
• Repeated shaking with chills
• Headache
• Muscle pain
• Sore throat
• New loss of taste or smell

If you are experiencing these emergency warning symptoms for COVID-19, get emergency medical attention immediately:

• Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
• Trouble breathing
• Bluish lips or face
• New confusion or inability to arouse

Bottom Line

Physicians and other healthcare professionals need to keep their minds and eyes open to these emerging new symptoms of COVID-19 so that the patients can be treated successfully.