Introduction
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way we live our lives, and it has also changed the way we think about our health. While the most common symptoms of COVID-19 are well known, there are some lesser-known symptoms that can be just as serious. In this article, we will discuss some of the lesser-known COVID-19 symptoms that everyone should be aware of. We will also provide tips on how to manage these symptoms and stay healthy during the pandemic. So, if you or someone you know is experiencing any of these symptoms, it is important to take the necessary precautions and seek medical attention.
COVID Symptoms No One Talks About But Should — Eat This Not That
The novel coronavirus has been a major topic of conversation since it first appeared in late 2019. While most people are aware of the common symptoms of COVID-19, such as fever, cough, and shortness of breath, there are some lesser-known symptoms that can be just as serious. Here are some of the COVID symptoms no one talks about but should.
Gastrointestinal Symptoms
Gastrointestinal symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, are common in people with COVID-19. These symptoms can be caused by the virus itself or by the body’s immune response to the virus. If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s important to seek medical attention right away.
Loss of Taste and Smell
Loss of taste and smell is another symptom of COVID-19 that is often overlooked. This symptom can be especially concerning because it can make it difficult to tell if food is safe to eat. If you experience a sudden loss of taste or smell, it’s important to seek medical attention right away.
Fatigue
Fatigue is another common symptom of COVID-19 that is often overlooked. This symptom can be especially concerning because it can make it difficult to stay active and healthy. If you experience sudden and unexplained fatigue, it’s important to seek medical attention right away.
Eat This, Not That
If you’re experiencing any of the above symptoms, it’s important to make sure you’re eating the right foods. Eating a balanced diet that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins can help boost your immune system and help you fight off the virus. Avoiding processed foods and sugary drinks can also help you stay healthy.
It’s also important to stay hydrated. Drinking plenty of water can help flush out toxins and keep your body functioning properly. Additionally, avoiding alcohol and caffeine can help reduce inflammation and boost your immune system.
By being aware of the lesser-known symptoms of COVID-19 and eating the right foods, you can help protect yourself and your loved ones from the virus. If you experience any of the symptoms mentioned above, it’s important to seek medical attention right away.
At this point in the pandemic, the common symptoms of COVID-19 are more than familiar—but there are some very alarming symptoms not getting attention when they should be. “How many people may develop long COVID? We can only guess,” says Anthony L. Komaroff, MD. “Early studies indicate that one in ten people with COVID-19 may develop long COVID that lasts at least a year. Ultimately, how long these illnesses last remains to be determined. For this and many other reasons, the strain on the American health care system and economy from the pandemic will not end soon.” Here are five COVID-19 symptoms no one talks about, but really should. Read on—and to ensure your health and the health of others, don’t miss these Sure Signs You’ve Already Had COVID.
There is growing research connecting COVID-19 with erectile dysfunction—one study shows that men with the virus are over three times more likely to be diagnosed with ED than those who aren’t sick. “The receptor that the coronavirus binds to is abundant on the penis and testes,” says Joseph Katz, D.M.D. “The virus can bind to those areas. And research has shown that COVID can reduce the amount of testosterone produced. The loss of testosterone has been shown to put someone at risk of having a more severe outcome from COVID-19.”
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Some people find themselves dealing with gastrointestinal issues for several months after even a mild case of COVID-19, doctors say. “You can have loss of appetite from gastrointestinal symptoms and bowel issues like diarrhea, which can stay on,” says Devang Sanghavi, MD.
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Experts are warning of severe personality changes as a symptom of long COVID. “A number of people came out of the experience [of severe illness] with PTSD,” says Adam Kaplin, MD, Ph.D. “And when they went home, they were irritable and not their normal selves, and didn’t understand why they didn’t just bounce back to being the way they were before… It’s not the virus that’s the problem — it’s the immune response to the virus that causes the trouble. But my strong message would be that it’s not a personal weakness, you’re not crazy, and there really is a biology to this, in both directions.”
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Because COVID-19 impacts fat cells directly, there are long-term implications for people who are overweight or obese. One study shows obesity is directly linked to ongoing complications. “To our knowledge, this current study for the first time suggests that patients with moderate to severe obesity are at a greater risk of developing long-term complications of COVID-19 beyond the acute phase,” says Ali Aminian, M.D., director of Cleveland Clinic’s Bariatric & Metabolic Institute and principal investigator of the research.
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There is growing evidence that COVID-19 may cause IQ to drop substantially. “By coincidence, the pandemic escalated in the United Kingdom in the middle of when I was collecting cognitive and mental health data at very large scale as part of the BBC2 Horizon collaboration the Great British Intelligence Test,” says Adam Hampshire, an associate professor in the Computational, Cognitive and Clinical Neuroimaging Laboratory at Imperial College London. “We need to be careful as it looks like the virus could be affecting our cognition. We do not fully understand how, why, or for how long, but we urgently need to find out. In the meantime, don’t take unnecessary risks and do get vaccinated.”
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Follow the public health fundamentals and help end this pandemic, no matter where you live—get vaccinated or boosted ASAP; if you live in an area with low vaccination rates, wear an N95 face mask, don’t travel, social distance, avoid large crowds, don’t go indoors with people you’re not sheltering with (especially in bars), practice good hand hygiene, and to protect your life and the lives of others, don’t visit any of these 35 Places You’re Most Likely to Catch COVID.
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