Add ‘COVID tongue’ and ‘fizzing’ to the list of weird possible coronavirus symptoms

• Fever or chills

• Cough

• Shortness of breath or breathing difficulties

• Fatigue

• Muscle or body aches

• Headache

• New loss of taste or smell

• Sore throat

• Congestion or runny nose

• Nausea or vomiting

• Diarrhea

But the CDC notes that this does not cover all possible symptoms. Keep in mind that this is still a relatively new virus that researchers are continuing to study to understand exactly how it spreads and why some people get very sick and die from it, while others show little or no sign of contamination. all.

And some of the other symptoms COVID-19 patients have reported are quite uncommon, such as swollen or discolored “COVID toes” (pseudo-frost lesions called pernio or chilblains) or rashes that can range from patchy to blisters that look like chicken-pox.

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Now Madrid researchers are adding some more strange symptoms to that list after examining 666 infected adult patients in a Spanish field hospital last April. One in four of these patients reportedly noticed what is called “COVID tongue”, including uncomfortable oral problems such as: swollen and inflamed tongues with indentations on the side; small bumps or blotchy areas on the tongue; and mouth swelling or ulcers.

In addition, one in 10 of these patients reported experiencing a burning sensation in the hands and feet, hives, or other painful swelling in those limbs.

The research team presented its findings earlier this week, although they were also published as a research letter in the British Journal of Dermatology last September. They cautioned that the patients analyzed in this study were all adults with COVID-19 pneumonia, so these findings should not be applied to children or asymptomatic individuals. These symptoms should also not be considered a diagnostic tool for the coronavirus. Here’s what you need to know about coronavirus testing.

British researcher Tim Spector, professor of genetic epidemiology at King’s College London, also tweeted about COVID tongue earlier this month. “I saw more and more Covid tongues and strange canker sores,” he wrote. “If you have a strange symptom or even just a headache and fatigue, stay home!”

He also said one in five COVID-19 patients has “less common symptoms”, such as a rash. ‘Fizzing’ is another, describing ‘electrical’, ‘tingling’ or ‘burning’ feelings that some coronavirus patients have complained about Twitter.

While researchers have not yet determined the cause of such strange symptoms, one theory is that “the immune system just has a very hyperactive response to this coronavirus,” as Dr. Purvi Parikh, a child allergist and immunologist with NYU Langone Health. , previously told MarketWatch. “Much of the damage the virus does is not really the infection itself; it’s how your immune system responds to it. “

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Call your doctor or local health department if the above COVID-19 symptoms occur, or if you see symptoms that are serious or worrisome. Such “emergency warning signs” for COVID-19 that you should report as soon as possible include:

• Difficulty breathing

• Persistent chest pain or pressure in the chest

• New confusion

• Inability to wake up from sleep or to stay awake

• Bluish lips or face

And you should always call 911 for a medical emergency.

Keep up to date with MarketWatch’s coronavirus coverage here, including the latest news on vaccine development and distribution, the status of incentive packages, and news about the new strains.