In a study by Northwestern Medicine, it was found out that the coronavirus poses a threat to the nervous system and its neurological symptoms may appear before fever and cough.
A review of neurological symptoms of COVID-19 patients in the current scientific literature was conducted and results are published this week in Annals of Neurology.
Dr. Igor Koralnik, lead author of the review and Northwestern Chief of neuro-infectious deceases and global neurology and a professor of neurology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, said, “It’s important for public and physicians to be aware of this, because a SARS-COV-2 infection may present with neurologic symptoms initially, before, any cough, fever or respiratory problem occur.” “This understanding is key to direct appropriate clinical management and treatment”, he further added
It was found that about 50% of the hospitalized patients had either headache, decreased alertness, difficulty concentrating, dizziness, disorder of smell and taste, seizures, strokes, weakness, and muscle pain. The disease may affect the entire nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord, and nerves as well as the muscles. As this disease affects many organs like, lung, kidney, heart, it may also affect the brain owing to lack of oxygenation and clotting disorders that may lead to ischemic or hemorrhagic strokes. Additionally, the virus may cause a direct infection of the brain and meninges. The reaction of the immune system to the infection may cause inflammation that can damage the brain and nerves.