You May Not Associate These Symptoms With COVID-19
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Photo Illustration by Lecia Landis for Verywell Health; Getty Images
Fact checked by Nick BlackmerFact checked by Nick Blackmer
Key TakeawaysCOVID-19 symptoms can include less obvious signs such as unusual fatigue, headaches, rashes, and gastrointestinal issues like diarrhea and nausea.Vaccinations remain effective in preventing severe illness, but additional precautions are necessary to protect high-risk individuals.
Joseph Master, 42, a marketing and communications specialist based in New Jersey, recently tested positive for COVID-19 for the third time after traveling for work. His symptoms were milder than previous infections, resembling a “bad cold.”“The first infection knocked me down for weeks, followed by about a month of brain fog that was actually quite scary. The second time was a week with a low fever. However, this third time was different—just a sore throat, fatigue, some brain fog, and body aches,” Master told Verywell.During the first years of the pandemic, common symptoms included sore throat, loss of taste or smell, and fever. As more subvariants emerged, some less obvious symptoms have become more prevalent.Unusual fatigue, headache, rashes, and digestive issues like nausea and diarrhea could also indicate COVID, according to C. Leilani Valdes, MD, chair of pathology and laboratory medicine at Citizens Medical Center in Victoria, TX.“With new variants popping up, it’s important to recognize these less obvious symptoms. If you’re feeling unwell or experiencing something out of the ordinary, I recommend talking to your doctor and getting tested,” Valdes told Verywell.Michael Mina, MD, PhD, a former assistant professor at Harvard Medical School, said newer symptoms are becoming more prominent partly because of a shift in how COVID is being recognized. Gastrointestinal issues are common in COVID cases because the gut lining is full of ACE2, the receptor for the COVID-19 virus.“For many people, the virus will go into the gut but won’t necessarily grow in the nose. The nose isn’t actually a preferred location for virus replication because it’s a bit cooler and less hospitable,” Mina told Verywell. “When this happens, many people will have significant GI symptoms and even respiratory symptoms but may never turn positive on a virus PCR or antigen test.”Valdes emphasized that healthcare providers should pay attention to patients when they bring up less typical symptoms.“Clear and compassionate communication, along with up-to-date information, helps patients understand their symptoms and encourages them to take the right steps for their health and safety,” Valdes said.For Master, while COVID vaccinations have protected him from severe illness, he still takes precautions to protect those around him.“It is on me to ensure I have rapid antigen tests at the ready so I can test myself before family functions and work travel,” Master said. “Do your due diligence to test yourself, because your family and coworkers may be immunocompromised.”
What This Means For YouUnderstanding the evolving nature of COVID-19 symptoms can help you recognize the infection sooner. Stay vigilant about monitoring your health and get tested if you experience unusual symptoms or have been exposed to the virus.
Read the original article on Verywell Health.
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