Confirmed cases of the coronavirus have reached an astounding 3 million worldwide and knowledge surrounding the deadly disease continues to evolve.
Medical professionals advise seeking immediate attention upon experiencing the more common symptoms such as “trouble breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, new confusion or inability to arouse and bluish lips or face.”
Earlier reports of abnormal skin issues have also surfaced. “COVID toes” are “purple lesions” that suddenly appear on the hands or feet of the patient. Dr. Esther Freeman, a dermatologist at Massachusetts General Hospital suspects that “COVID toes” may be linked to the virus. She suggests that the theory be tested because these lesions could appear without any other symptoms.
Dr. Freeman said, “One hypothesis is there’s just a lot of inflammation caused by the virus.” It could also be the result of blood vessel clots. However, she added that she didn’t “feel comfortable saying it’s one or the other.”
While older adults with pre-existing underlying health issues such as heart or lung disease are most vulnerable to major complications from the virus, new reports are coming in about younger patients suddenly dying of strokes.
According to Dr. Thomas Oxley, a neurosurgeon from Mount Sinai Health System the virus is causing clots in arteries, resulting in “severe strokes.”
Oxley told CNN, “Our report shows a seven-fold increase in incidence of sudden stroke in young patients during the past two weeks. Most of these patients have no past medical history and were at home with either mild symptoms (or in two cases, no symptoms) of COVID.”
Just to be on the safe side, if you experience any of these symptoms you should get yourself checked out.