Acute, particularly painful odynophagia is one of the symptoms specific to the Omicron variant of Covid-19.
A particularly painful symptom. One of the new symptoms of Covid-19 affects swallowing. That specificity of the Omicron variant may persist over time and require further treatment. In a study from Stockholm University Hospital in Sweden, and published on February 15, researchers have highlighted the differences of the Omicron variant with the previous variants. “The Omicron variant appears to primarily affect the upper airways and cause acute laryngitis without olfactory dysfunction”, concluded the study. Thus in some people, the Covid-19 is manifested by a difficulty swallowing and therefore to feed.
Odynophagia is characterized by discomfort felt when swallowing saliva or swallowing food. The feeling is close to that of a lump in the throat and swelling that prevents swallowing. This symptom is one of the main symptoms of angina, but is now linked to Covid-19 for the Omicron variant. “The Delta affects rather the lung and the Omicron, rather at the top therefore the larynx and the pharynx”said Dr. William Berrebi, gastroenterologist, to France 3. The symptom may last over timeeven after the end of Covid-19 and other possible symptoms, there are therefore ways to treat it in a specific way.
Several treatments to facilitate swallowing
To reduce inflammation, corticosteroids can be prescribed. It may also be important to review your diet to facilitate the passage of food and avoid causing more irritation and pain. “We are going to recommend a tender, soft diet, or a well-coated diet, that is to say well in sauce, to reduce irritation when passing through the esophagus”dietician Joanna Soares told France 3. The interest of probiotics in the treatment of the symptoms of Covid-19 is also being studied.