We hate to say it, just as you hate to hear it, but COVID-19 isn’t going away. Many of us know someone who’s been sick recently with a cough or sneeze, and you may have asked yourself the eternal questions: Do I have hay fever or COVID?But what about the symptoms that don’t resemble other respiratory illnesses? It might be a good idea to recall some of the strange symptoms that COVID exhibits.
What is the current COVID situation?
According to the data, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention According to the CDC, as of the week ending July 6, 2024, the number of COVID-19 cases in the United States has been gradually increasing. During that week, the positivity rate for the virus was 11%, an increase from 9.1% the week before. Similarly, emergency department visit rates and hospitalization rates have increased slightly, while the number of deaths from the virus has remained stable.
In EnglandIn the period ending July 3, the number of positive COVID-19 cases was actually trending downward, down 16.6% from the previous week. However, in the seven days ending June 28, the number of deaths and hospitalizations increased.
According to CDC data, the variants currently most prevalent in the U.S. are: 3P 3…one of FLiRT variants The virus that has been gaining attention this year appears to have mutated in a way that makes it easier to evade the human immune system.
Availability vaccineTogether with lessons learned on how effective non-pharmaceutical measures can be, masking The possibility of helping to halt the virus’s progression means that COVID of 2024 is an entirely different monster to the COVID of early 2020. But it still proves capable of disrupting our lives, as we’ve seen with the recent COVID-19 outbreak. Reintroduction of the mask obligation In the Tour de France, as riders withdraw from the race,
What are the most common symptoms of the latest COVID variants?
of CDC List The list of the most common COVID symptoms was last updated in March 2024 and includes many of the signs you would expect with the respiratory illness. Cough, fever, fatigueSore throats and headaches are also common, and many people report a (usually temporary) loss of taste or smell, but as the CDC points out, COVID symptoms can vary widely, and there are some other surprising signs to be aware of.
What are some unexpected symptoms of COVID?
Gastrointestinal problems
Social media posts suggest that many people are surprised at the different ways COVID-19 can be transmitted. My stomach hurts.
Loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea can all be signs of COVID infection and can occur with or without other more common symptoms. Gastrointestinal disorders There may also be persistent gastrointestinal problems, which may be caused by medications that may be used to treat COVID. Long COVID.
All of this means that some people may develop COVID infection. Food poisoningor other infections Norovirus – But it’s worth remembering that the absence of a cough does not mean you don’t have COVID-19.
“If everyone in your house has COVID and you have diarrhea, you have to think about those two things together,” infectious disease specialist Dr. Peter Chin-Hong said. The New York Times.
COVIDTongue
The so-called “COVID tongue” Very early on During the pandemic, although rare, people may develop ulcers or strange white spots on their tongue or inside their mouth. Reported If you suddenly experience these symptoms, it could be due to someone who has had COVID-19. If you’re concerned about any changes in your mouth, it’s best to consult with your dentist.
Treatment for COVID can have some unfortunate side effects in this area too, with a small percentage of people taking the drug paxlobidi. Taste disorders – A bitter, metallic, or sour taste in the mouth.
COVID Toes
Similarly, COVID-19 can also cause symptoms such as: Similar to frostbite The skin on the feet and toes may become red or dark, painful, itchy, and sometimes blistered.
Discoloration of the toes, similar to that seen with frostbite, may accompany COVID-19.
Image credit: Chris Curry/Shutterstock.com
summary
If you develop a cough or cold symptoms in the next few weeks, unfortunately, you should continue to consider it a possibility that it may be COVID-19. The only way to be truly sure in the eternal cold/hay fever/COVID debate is to get tested.
If you live in the Southern Hemisphere, you should also add influenza to your list of diagnoses, as we are currently in the midst of flu season. Full SwingBut for those of us in the Northern Hemisphere, influenza is currently Very low level Summer is nearly halfway through.
But a cough and runny nose are not the only signs of COVID-19. Unexpected symptoms In the same way.
The content of this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
