It is now almost six months since the world became aware of COVID-19, and almost four months since the World Health Organisation declared a pandemic.
As the number of people infected with the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus grows, so does our knowledge of how it spreads, how it affects the body, and the range of symptoms it causes.
Here are some of the unusual things weve learned about the coronavirus along the way.
Read more: Coronavirus: how long does it take to get sick? How infectious is it? Will you always have a fever? COVID-19 basics explained
Many inflammatory diseases, including infections, are associated with an increased risk of developing blood clots. However, COVID-19 is more strongly associated with blood clots than many other infections.
If blood clots are large enough, they can block the flow of blood through a blood vessel. This in turn leads to the part of the body the blood vessel supplies being starved of oxygen.
If this happens in a coronary artery, which supplies blood to your heart, it can cause a heart attack. In the lungs, it can cause a pulmonary embolism. In the brain, it can cause a stroke, which we have seen even in young people with COVID-19 but no other risk factors.
Read more: People with coronavirus are at risk of blood clots and strokes. Here's what we know so far
Critically ill COVID-19 patients in intensive care units (ICU) are particularly at risk of blood clots.
One study found 49% of patients were affected, mainly with clots to the lungs. Other studies found 20-30% of critically ill COVID-19 patients had blood clots.
These rates are much higher than wed expect to see in patients admitted to ICU for other reasons.
Worryingly, clots occur in COVID-19 patients despite using standard preventative measures such as blood-thinning drugs.
We now know COVID-19, like other viral infections, can lead to anosmia, or losing your sense of smell.
In one study, it affected about about 5% of patients in hospital with COVID-19. But some people with only very mild disease say they theyve suddenly lost their smell, before regaining it.
Anosmia has now been added to the list of possible COVID-19 symptoms.
Read more: Coronavirus might cause loss of smell, or anosmia. But it probably won't be permanent
Anyone whos had a regular cold knows nasal congestion can affect your sense of smell. But COVID-19 is different. People can lose their smell without a runny or blocked nose.
Perhaps the virus latches onto receptors in the lining of the nose before entering the cells. We know these ACE2 receptors are how the virus enters other parts of the body, including the lungs.
Some people with COVID-19 who lose their sense of smell also report a reduction or loss of their sense of taste.
Another unusual feature is how little COVID-19 appears to have affected children, compared with many other respiratory infections.
However, doctors in Europe and the UK, who have seen larger numbers of COVID-19 in children, have noticed an unusual but serious inflammatory condition in children with the virus. This is known as multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children, or MIS-C.
In studies from the UK, Italy and France, most of the children with this serious condition likely had COVID-19 in the past.
Read more: A mysterious illness is striking children amid the coronavirus pandemic but is it Kawasaki disease?
Symptoms vary. But the main ones include fever, rash and gut symptoms (vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhoea). Some children develop heart complications.
These symptoms generally resemble other conditions such as Kawasaki disease and toxic shock syndrome.
Researchers think its not the virus itself that is responsible for MIS-C. Instead, they think its the bodys immune response to the virus, perhaps long after being infected.
At the start of the pandemic, we believed SARS-CoV-2 originated from animals before spreading into humans. However, we were unsure if the virus could travel back into animals, perhaps infecting our pets.
We now know humans can transmit COVID-19 to domestic or captive animals, such as dogs, cats and even tigers.
In the Netherlands, there have been outbreaks in animals at several mink farms. Researchers believe an infected worker introduced the virus to the farms. The mink developed viral pneumonia, which spread among the animals.
Sick mink then reportedly infected two people the first documented case of animal-to-human transmission after the virus originated in China.
Read more: Can your pets get coronavirus, and can you catch it from them?
- Home Remedies For Coronary Heart Disease - May 16th, 2018 [May 16th, 2018]
- Heart Disease in Women | National Heart, Lung, and Blood ... - October 17th, 2018 [October 17th, 2018]
- Home Remedies For Coronary Heart Disease | Speedy Remedies - December 26th, 2018 [December 26th, 2018]
- Coronary Heart Disease: Symptoms + Natural Remedies - Dr. Axe - December 26th, 2018 [December 26th, 2018]
- Coronary artery disease - Wikipedia - December 26th, 2018 [December 26th, 2018]
- Journal of Coronary Heart Diseases- Open Access Journals - February 20th, 2019 [February 20th, 2019]
- Heart Conferences | Heart Congress 2019 | Heart Failure ... - April 8th, 2019 [April 8th, 2019]
- Cardiac MRI Testing Market to Develop Rapidly by 2018 2026 - The Market Plan - September 24th, 2019 [September 24th, 2019]
- The Global C Reactive Protein Test Market To Progress At Cagr Between 2017 2025 - Zebvo - September 24th, 2019 [September 24th, 2019]
- Ventricular Assist Devices Market Progresses for Huge Profits During 2016 2024 - NewsVarsity - September 24th, 2019 [September 24th, 2019]
- Can you still be healthy if you're overweight? - Health24 - September 24th, 2019 [September 24th, 2019]
- Cardiogenic Shock Market Detailed Study Analysis with Forecast by 2025 - Analytics News - September 24th, 2019 [September 24th, 2019]
- Fractional Flow Reserve Market Projections Analysis 2019-2027 - Rapid News Network - September 24th, 2019 [September 24th, 2019]
- Self-expandable Stents Market : Advancements and Efficient Clinical Outcomes would Drive the Industry Growth with Top Key Player's Analysis -... - September 24th, 2019 [September 24th, 2019]
- Chronic Heart Failure Market: Study Provides In-depth Analysis of Chronic Heart Failure Market along with the Current Trends and Future Estimations... - September 24th, 2019 [September 24th, 2019]
- Nuclear Cardiology Market to Surge at a Robust Pace in Terms of Revenue Over 2015 2021 - Analytics News - September 24th, 2019 [September 24th, 2019]
- Global Cardiovascular Drugs Market Industry Analysis and Forecast (2018-2026) - NewsStoner - September 24th, 2019 [September 24th, 2019]
- Bare-metal Stents Market : Segmentation and Company Analysis to 2027 - Market Forecast - September 24th, 2019 [September 24th, 2019]
- Insomnia is Linked to Increased Risk for Heart Disease - Live Trading News - September 24th, 2019 [September 24th, 2019]
- Five Concrete Medical Reasons Why You Should Embrace Yoga - VIVA GLAM MAGAZINE - vivaglammagazine.com - September 24th, 2019 [September 24th, 2019]
- Carotid Stenting Systems Market Poised to Garner Maximum Revenues During 2018 to 2028 - SocioHerald - September 24th, 2019 [September 24th, 2019]
- Carotid Stents Market : Segmentation, Industry Trends and Development to 2026 - NewsStoner - September 24th, 2019 [September 24th, 2019]
- New report shares details about the Carotid Stents Market - Commerce Gazette - September 24th, 2019 [September 24th, 2019]
- Drug-Eluting Balloons Market to Garner Brimming Revenues by 2015 2021 - Analytics News - September 24th, 2019 [September 24th, 2019]
- Is Diet Soda Actually Killing You, Though? - Self - September 24th, 2019 [September 24th, 2019]
- Anti-angina Drugs Market to Witness Growth Acceleration During 2018 2026 - Wolf Mirror - September 24th, 2019 [September 24th, 2019]
- Anti Angina Drugs Market Sentiment Indicators Evaluation by 2018 2026 - Lake Shore Gazette - September 24th, 2019 [September 24th, 2019]
- Coronary Atherectomy Devices Market : Opportunities and Forecast Assessment, 2019-2027 - RedfoxInfo - September 24th, 2019 [September 24th, 2019]
- Combined Angiography Market to Witness Comprehensive Growth by 2016 2024 - NewsVarsity - September 24th, 2019 [September 24th, 2019]
- Seven home remedies to stop hiccups - Daily Sabah - September 24th, 2019 [September 24th, 2019]
- Resverlogix To Release Phase 3 Clinical Trial Data On A First-In-Class BET Bromodomain Inhibitor - Seeking Alpha - September 24th, 2019 [September 24th, 2019]
- Women with high blood pressure in pregnancy at increased risk of developing cardiovascular disorders - Independent.ie - September 24th, 2019 [September 24th, 2019]
- AI is Better at Foretelling Risk of Heart Attack - Healthcare Tech Outlook - September 24th, 2019 [September 24th, 2019]
- High blood pressure in pregnancy increases risk of future heart disease study - The Irish Times - September 24th, 2019 [September 24th, 2019]
- 30 Years of Research Shows Sauna Bathing is Game-Changer for Longevity and Heart Disease - Good News Network - September 24th, 2019 [September 24th, 2019]
- Coronary Artery Imaging Market Set to Witness an Uptick during 2017 2025 - Space Market Research - September 29th, 2019 [September 29th, 2019]
- Interventional Cardiology Devices Market Gain Impetus due to the Growing Demand over 2025 - Space Market Research - September 29th, 2019 [September 29th, 2019]
- High Pesticide Exposure Associated With Increased CAD and Stroke Risk - MedicalResearch.com - September 29th, 2019 [September 29th, 2019]
- The longevity files: A strong grip? Push-ups? Here's what actually can help you live to a ripe old age. - Bowling Green Daily News - September 29th, 2019 [September 29th, 2019]
- Heres what actually can help you live to a ripe old age - Pratt Tribune - September 29th, 2019 [September 29th, 2019]
- Pakistan at high risk of coronary heart diseases - The Nation - September 29th, 2019 [September 29th, 2019]
- Heart attack linked to air pollution - The Hindu - September 29th, 2019 [September 29th, 2019]
- The Weighty Cost of Diabetes - American Council on Science and Health - October 9th, 2019 [October 9th, 2019]
- Push-ups? Here's what can really help you live to a ripe old age - The Australian Financial Review - October 9th, 2019 [October 9th, 2019]
- Red meat study caused a stir here's what wasn't discussed - The Conversation UK - October 9th, 2019 [October 9th, 2019]
- I market, by application, is dominated by the cardiology segment, due to the vast population using various CVD drugs. This segment is projected to... - October 9th, 2019 [October 9th, 2019]
- At the heart of health!- The importance of a healthy heart for a healthy life - OyeYeah News - October 14th, 2019 [October 14th, 2019]
- Interventional Cardiology Devices Market Size 2019 Industry Analysis by Types, Applications, Key Players, and leading Countries Forecast to 2024 -... - October 14th, 2019 [October 14th, 2019]
- Angioplasty Balloons Market: Increasing Prevalence of Coronary Artery Disease to Drive the Market - Online News Guru - October 14th, 2019 [October 14th, 2019]
- Valvular Heart Disease Treatment Market: Information, Figures and Analytical Insights, 2019 2027 - Online News Guru - October 14th, 2019 [October 14th, 2019]
- More About The Dangers And Diseases Of Vaping - Star2.com - October 14th, 2019 [October 14th, 2019]
- Heart attack: The sign in your mouth that could increase your risk - Express - October 14th, 2019 [October 14th, 2019]
- Global Fractional Flow Reserve Market Industry Analysis and Forecast (2018-2026) - Markets Gazette - October 16th, 2019 [October 16th, 2019]
- Biologic Therapeutics Market Segmentation Detailed Study with Forecast to 2025 - Online News Guru - October 16th, 2019 [October 16th, 2019]
- Interventional Cardiology Devices Market Global industry analysis and forecast (2018-2026) - Markets Gazette - October 16th, 2019 [October 16th, 2019]
- Peanut Butter: Benefits and facts about the tasty food item - Republic World - Republic World - October 16th, 2019 [October 16th, 2019]
- Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Market Global Industry Analysis and Forecast (2018-2026) - Science Examiner - October 16th, 2019 [October 16th, 2019]
- Fewer deaths in winter 2018-19 - Scottish Government News - October 16th, 2019 [October 16th, 2019]
- How to live longer: These three drinks may extend your lifespan - Express - October 16th, 2019 [October 16th, 2019]
- The Europe mobile cardiac telemetry systems market is expected to reach US$ 477,845.5 Mn in 2027 from US$ 167,462.4 Mn in 2018 - Yahoo Finance - October 16th, 2019 [October 16th, 2019]
- You Docs: Getting to the meat of the matter on the matter of meat - Roanoke Times - October 16th, 2019 [October 16th, 2019]
- Tips to manage heart diseases: Heres what you should know - The Indian Express - October 16th, 2019 [October 16th, 2019]
- Do You Think Heart Attacks Only Strike The Old? - Star2.com - October 16th, 2019 [October 16th, 2019]
- Diagnostic Radiopharmaceuticals & Contrast Media Market 2019 | Remarkable Growth Factors with Industry Size & Share, New Innovations of... - October 28th, 2019 [October 28th, 2019]
- Interventional Cardiology Devices Market Report Extensive Analysis 2019 | Specified by Production, Technology, Competition, and Revenue Forecast till... - October 28th, 2019 [October 28th, 2019]
- Shaq Promotes Heart Health at Spirit of the Heart Gala - Lasentinel - October 28th, 2019 [October 28th, 2019]
- Obesity Exacerbates Many Causes of Death, But Risks are Different for Men and Women - University Herald - October 28th, 2019 [October 28th, 2019]
- Sales Revenue of MR Conditional Pacemaker Devices Market to Soar in the Near Future Owing to Growing Consumer Adoption - Lake Shore Gazette - October 29th, 2019 [October 29th, 2019]
- World Stroke Day 2019: Stroke risk may be higher in youth owing to sedentary lifestyle - The Indian Express - October 29th, 2019 [October 29th, 2019]
- Women and men at risk of different obesity-related conditions - Medical News Today - October 29th, 2019 [October 29th, 2019]
- University Hospitals Designs the Cardiovascular Center of the Future | - Diagnostic and Interventional Cardiology - October 29th, 2019 [October 29th, 2019]
- Technological Innovations to Boost the Interventional Cardiology Devices Market - Press Release - Digital Journal - November 16th, 2019 [November 16th, 2019]
- On World Diabetes Day, here are a few tips to maintain a healthy heart - Mid-day - November 16th, 2019 [November 16th, 2019]
- Start the path to a healthier lifestyle by participating in Great American Smoke Out challenge - KRQE News 13 - November 16th, 2019 [November 16th, 2019]
- Multi-Center Clinical Study Demonstrates HeartTrends Improves Early Detection for Heart Disease in Healthy Individuals Cardiology2.0 - Cardiology2.0 - November 16th, 2019 [November 16th, 2019]
- Health benefits of tobacco cessation - SCNow - November 16th, 2019 [November 16th, 2019]
- Caladrius Biosciences Reports Positive Results for CLBS16 from the ESCaPE-CMD Trial at American Heart Association Scientific Sessions 2019 -... - November 16th, 2019 [November 16th, 2019]
- Subgroup Analysis of TWILIGHT Trial Patients With Non-ST Elevation Acute Coronary Syndrome (NSTE-ACS) Who Underwent PCI Showed BRILINTA Monotherapy... - November 19th, 2019 [November 19th, 2019]
- Bengaluru-origin cardiologist performs path-breaking heart surgery in US - The New Indian Express - November 19th, 2019 [November 19th, 2019]
- Structural Heart Devices Market Understanding the Key Product Segments and their Future - Guru Online News - November 19th, 2019 [November 19th, 2019]