While in 24 hours, 2,524 new cases were identified in France, a daily increase never seen since May, focus on symptoms less known than others.
Dry cough, fever (between 38 ° C and 39 ° C), body aches, fatigue are the most common symptoms when a coronavirus is suspected. But as the months go by, new clues to the virus emerge and some are, to say the least, bizarre.
First of all, hiccups. This symptom is described in The American Journal of Emergency Medicine in the case of a 62 year old man (with a medical history of diabetes, hypertension and coronary heart disease). The latter arrived in the emergency room last April, because for 4 days, a persistent hiccup could not stop. The man with Covid-19 denied having had a fever, nasal congestion, sore throat, chest pain or shortness of breath. The patient was treated with hydroxychloroquine, one of the treatments for SARS-COV-2.
“To our knowledge, this is the first report of persistent hiccups in a patient with a positive result for Covid-19 in the literature on emergency medicine,” the study read.
"This case report highlights two important issues: first, it emphasizes the importance of a detailed assessment in people with hiccups, at a minimum by studying their history and performing a physical examination, basic laboratory tests and a chest x-ray. Second, doctors should keep the COVID-19 infection on their differential, as more and more cases are being discovered with atypical symptoms, "the doctors add.
Then there is hair loss. Caregivers at Cleveland Hospital in the United States have noticed the outbreak, with no formal studies available. Some scientists speak of "telogen effluvium", that is to say a loss of hair linked to physical or emotional stress, a high fever, or even a loss of weight of more than 9 kilos. And this occurs, 3 to 5 months after the illness or the stressful point.
On the other hand, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology in a statement, "several reports suggest that the virus may cause mild follicular conjunctivitis which is indistinguishable from other viral causes, and can be transmitted by aerosol contact with the conjunctiva. "
Another study, that of the American Journal of Gastroenterology claimed that gastrointestinal disturbances could be signs of infection with the virus.
Without forgetting also, the "disappearance of smell and taste", a figure indicated by Jérôme Salomon, Director General of Health, in his point of information of March 20.
With mild symptoms, it is recommended that you stay at home and avoid contact with other people. “I call a doctor before going to his office or I call the hotline number in my area. I can also benefit from a teleconsultation, ”indicates the Ministry of Solidarity and Health on its site. And if your condition worsens, with difficulty breathing and signs of suffocation, call 15.
Note that on the set of France 2 Wednesday August 12, the Minister of Health Olivier Véran mentioned a new rule, called "ABCD". But what does she mean? Nothing's easier. The mask is necessary to be worn: "A: when we are At risk, B: when we are in a crowded place, C: in closed places and D: when the Distance is impossible to manage ", he explained. And this technical memo aid fits in with the "3M rule", '3M ' : 'Meter, Hands, Masks', reports the Directorate General of Health.