Unusual COVID-19 symptoms: What are they?

What are some of the unusual symptoms of COVID-19?

Answer From Daniel C. DeSimone, M.D.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can cause a wide range of signs and symptoms. The most common are fever, cough and tiredness.

Other symptoms include:

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• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Muscle aches
• Chills
• Sore throat
• Runny nose
• Headache
• Chest pain

But COVID-19 can cause symptoms you may not expect, including:

• Digestive symptoms. COVID-19 might cause nausea, vomiting or diarrhea — either alone or with other COVID-19 symptoms. Digestive symptoms sometimes develop before a fever and respiratory symptoms.
• Loss of smell or taste. A new loss of smell or taste — without a stuffy nose — is a common early symptom of COVID-19. Research suggests that most changes in smell and taste often resolve in 30 days. In some people, however, moderate to severe changes in smell and taste can last 60 days or more.

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  Skin changes. The most common skin changes linked with mild to severe COVID-19 include a flat rash covered with small bumps, discolored areas on the fingers and toes (COVID toes), and hives.

  COVID toes appear to be more common in children and young adults. Swelling or discoloration can develop on one or several toes or fingers. The hands, wrists or ankles also can be affected. Blisters, itchiness, rough skin, or painful bumps can occur. A small amount of pus might develop under the skin. The symptoms can last 10 to 14 days or for months.

  However, swollen, discolored fingers or toes could also be chilblains, an inflammatory skin condition. Chilblains develop in response to repeated exposure to cold air.

• Confusion. Severe confusion (delirium) might be the main or only symptom of COVID-19 in older people. This COVID-19 symptom is linked with a high risk of poor outcomes, including death.
• Eye problems. Pink eye (conjunctivitis) can be a COVID-19 symptom. Research suggests that the most common eye problems linked to COVID-19 are light sensitivity, sore eyes and itchy eyes.

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Signs and symptoms of COVID-19 may appear 2 to 14 days after exposure. They can range from mild to severe. If you think you might be experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, call your health care provider.

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Daniel C. DeSimone, M.D.

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Feb. 11, 2022 Show references

1. Cholankeril G, et al. High prevalence of concurrent gastrointestinal manifestations in patients with SARS-CoV-2: Early experience from California. Gastroenterology. 2020; doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2020.04.008.
2. COVID toes, rashes: How the coronavirus can affect your skin. American Academy of Dermatology Association. daypg.com/public/diseases/coronavirus/covid-toes. Accessed March 16, 2021.
3. Lechien JR, et al. Loss of smell and taste in 2013 European patients with mild to moderate COVID-19. Annals of Internal Medicine. 2020; doi:10.7326/M20-2428.
4. AskMayoExpert. COVID-19: Testing. Signs and symptoms (child). Mayo Clinic; 2021.
5. Mao L, et al. Neurologic manifestations of hospitalized patients with coronavirus disease 2019 in Wuhan, China. JAMA Neurology. 2020; doi:10.1001/jamaneurol.2020.112.
6. Symptoms of COVID-19. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. daypg.com/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html. Accessed Feb. 7, 2022.
7. COVID-19: Presentation, management, and follow-up (adult). Mayo Clinic; 2020.
8. Menni C, et al. Real-time tracking of self-reported symptoms to predict potential COVID-19. Nature Medicine. 2020; doi:10.1038/s41591-020-0916-2.
9. AskMayoExpert. COVID-19: Testing. Signs and symptoms (adult). Mayo Clinic; 2021.
10. Interim clinical guidance for management of patients with confirmed coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. daypg.com/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/clinical-guidance-management-patients.html. Accessed March 16, 2021.
11. Pardhan S, et al. Sore eyes as the most significant ocular symptom experienced by people with COVID-19: A comparison between pre COVID-19 and during COVID-19 states. BMJ Open Ophthalmology. 2020; doi:10.1136/bmjophth-2020-000632.
12. Kennedy M, et al. Delirium in older patients with COVID-19 presenting to the emergency department. JAMA Network Open. 2020; doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.29540.
13. Herman A, et al. Evaluation of chilblains as manifestation of the COVID-19 pandemic. JAMA Dermatology. 2020; doi:10.1001/jamadermatol.2020.2368.
14. Vaira LA, et al. Smell and taste recovery in coronavirus disease 2019 patients: A 60-day objective and prospective study. The Journal of Laryngology and Otology. 2020; doi:10.1017/S0022215120001826.

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17. COVID-19 vaccines for kids: What you need to know
18. COVID-19 vaccines
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20. COVID-19 vs. flu: Similarities and differences
21. COVID-19: Who’s at higher risk of serious symptoms?
22. Debunking coronavirus myths
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24. Different COVID-19 vaccines
25. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO)
26. Fever
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28. Fever treatment: Quick guide to treating a fever
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30. How do COVID-19 antibody tests differ from diagnostic tests?
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39. Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C)
40. Nausea and vomiting
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42. Coronavirus infection by race
43. Red eye
44. Safe outdoor activities during the COVID-19 pandemic
45. Safety tips for returning to school during COVID-19
46. Sex and COVID-19
47. Shortness of breath
48. Thermometers: Understand the options
49. Treating COVID-19 at home
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