According to doctors, strange COVID symptoms
can occur.
COVID is still dominating the news cycle three years after the
pandemic began, but one component that is rarely discussed is the strange
symptoms that some people experience. "While the majority of patients who
come with COVID infection symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath,
or even loss of taste/smell, many patients can also have gastrointestinal
symptoms as their first sign of infection. Loss of appetite, diarrhea,
nausea/vomiting, and abdominal pain are some of the symptoms "Dr. Parham
Yashar, MD, FACS, FAANS, Diplomate, American Board of Neurological Surgery,
President Yashar Neurosurgery and Stroke Medical Director, Dignity Health
Northridge Hospital, explains. It's still a mystery why some COVID patients experience
unusual symptoms while others don't, but read on to learn when to get medical
help and what some strange COVID symptoms are.
1. Skin Lesions
According to Dr. Yashar, "Patients infected with SARS-CoV-2
have developed a variety of skin lesions. In several case series, a rash that
looks like Measles and affects the trunk is the most common skin lesion or
finding in individuals with COVID infection."
2. COVID Toes
Dr. Ali Jamehdor, DO, Medical Director of Dignity Health St.
Mary's Medical Center's Emergency Department, adds, "One or more toes may
experience swelling and discoloration. Children and very young adults are more
likely to experience this. I've personally witnessed multiple instances like
this. In all cases, the children have been otherwise asymptomatic and most
resolved in about a week. The medical explanation favors vasculitis, an
inflammatory response of the small vasculature found in the extremities such as
the toes and fingers."
3. COVID Fog
According to Dr. Jamehdor, "This is real…
I've seen a lot of people who come in with nonspecific
complaints like general confusion, difficulty concentrating, forgetfulness, and
a feeling of haziness. Because we are still learning about many of these
symptoms and side effects, most of what I share with you is based on personal
experience with patients and conversations with other colleagues. COVID fog can
appear at any point during an illness. The impact and duration of the 'COVID
fog' seem to be linked to the severity of your widespread infection (for example,
the worse the fever, body aches, cough, etc.). Most persons who are
asymptomatic during their COVID infection do not complain about 'COVID fog.'
Patients who had a difficult time...talk about the 'COVID fog' itself...but
also the long-term effects. I've met individuals who had the virus over a year
ago and are still complaining about not feeling like themselves."
4. Delayed Hair Loss
Mymee's Medical Director, Dr. Nicole Bundy, a board-certified,
Yale-trained rheumatologist, notes, "The delayed hair loss linked with
COVID usually happens a few months after the infection. It's known as telogen
effluvium, which happens after a high-fever illness. It occurs due to a large
number of hair follicles entering the shedding phase. This usually goes away
after 6-9 months, and the hair returns to its original condition."
5. When to Seek Medical Treatment
According to Dr. Jamehdor: "My recommendation is to seek
medical assistance if you are experiencing pain that you don't understand. The
'COVID toe' is completely harmless and has no side effects...but it doesn't
hurt either. You should seek medical help if you feel redness and pain. For
brief periods, 'COVID fog' can make you feel a little confused...but if you
have a headache, neck stiffness, or other neurological problems, you should
seek medical help. Most medical offices and insurance companies provide
telehealth services. The last thing you want to do is roam around, spreading
this contagious infection to others. Set up a telehealth appointment so that a
trained medical professional can see you, talk about your symptoms, and help
you differentiate between medical emergencies that require you to go to the ER
and non-urgent issues that can be handled as an outpatient procedure."
6. How to Stay Safe Out There
Get vaccinated or boost your vaccinations as soon as possible; if you live in an area with low vaccination rates, wear an N95 face mask, avoid large crowds, don't go indoors with people you aren't sheltering with (especially in bars), practice good hand hygiene.