TLDR COVID-19 affects many body systems, causing a wide range of symptoms and complications.
The review analyzed the extrapulmonary manifestations of COVID-19, emphasizing its nature as a multisystem disorder due to the virus's affinity for ACE2 receptors and immune responses like the cytokine storm. It found that COVID-19 affected various organs, including the gastrointestinal, nervous, cardiovascular, endocrine systems, and skin, with symptoms ranging from mild, such as anosmia and dysgeusia, to severe organ damage. Persistent nervous system symptoms post-infection were noted. The review highlighted the importance of recognizing these diverse manifestations for effective patient management and treatment strategies during the pandemic. Additionally, it discussed cardiovascular, endocrine, metabolic, reproductive, maternal, neonatal, ocular, and neuromuscular complications, underscoring the virus's extensive impact on the body.
132 citations
,
September 2021 in “Frontiers in Public Health” The study highlighted that COVID-19 was not solely a respiratory disease but a multisystem disease with both pulmonary and extrapulmonary manifestations. It emphasized that while some patients were asymptomatic, symptomatic cases could present with mild to severe pulmonary symptoms or extrapulmonary symptoms such as gastroenteritis, fever, or vomiting. Severe cases could lead to complications like acute kidney injury, heart failure, and venous thromboembolic events due to high viral load or cytokine storm. The study underscored the importance of recognizing these manifestations for early diagnosis and controlling the spread of the infection.
25 citations
,
July 2021 in “Journal of Medical Virology” COVID-19 can cause various skin issues, including rashes and hair loss, which usually heal on their own and don't always indicate severe illness.
119 citations
,
May 2020 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” Most COVID-19 patients in hospitals have androgenetic alopecia, more in men, suggesting a link between androgen sensitivity and severe COVID-19 symptoms.
47 citations
,
April 2020 in “Dermatologic Therapy” Androgenetic alopecia linked to COVID-19 severity; drugs reducing androgen receptor activation may help.