Neurological Manifestation of COVID-19 - An Extensive Awareness

Introduction

COVID-19 is caused by the coronavirus. It spreads through the cough and sneeze of a person (infected). It is also spread through the contaminated area of an infected person. COVID-19 also affects the nervous system. The neurological manifestations of COVID-19 can range from mild to severe. Some people may experience only mild symptoms, while others may develop serious neurological complications. This exploration enables a better understanding of COVID-19's potential neurological implications.

What Is COVID-19?

COVID-19, the coronavirus disease that emerged in 2019, is a contagious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. It spread rapidly from China to the rest of the world, causing a global pandemic. COVID-19 primarily affects the respiratory system, causing a range of symptoms from mild respiratory distress to severe disease. When an average person coughs, sneezes, or has close contact with an infected person, the virus starts spreading from person to person.

The virus can also be disseminated via direct touch with infected objects, including doors, windows, and light switches, if a person touches a contaminated surface before touching their mouth, nose, or eyes. In addition to respiratory symptoms, COVID-19 can lead to various other symptoms, including fever, fatigue, loss of smell or taste, muscle aches, and gastrointestinal issues. It is important to follow public health guidelines and maintain a distance from the infected person to reduce the spread of the virus.

What Are the Neurological Manifestations of COVID-19?

• Loss of Smell and Taste: Distinct and early neurological symptoms, often occurring before other symptoms. They are frequent and variable, ranging from mild to severe headaches; some individuals experience lightheadedness, dizziness, or vertigo.

• Cognitive Impairment: It changes the person's cognitive function and manifests differently in different individuals. Changes in thinking, memory, confusion, cognitive fog, and difficulty concentrating have been observed in the neurological manifestations of COVID-19.
• Delirium: Acute confusion and altered consciousness, especially in severe cases and older patients. While rare, COVID-19 can trigger seizures, possibly due to inflammation or direct brain involvement. Increased risk of ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes, particularly in severe cases.
• Encephalitis: It is a rare and severe neurological manifestation of COVID-19 characterized by the inflammation of the brain tissues that occurs due to the viral infection and leading to altered consciousness, mental state, and seizures.
• Neuropathies: It includes peripheral neuropathies (nerve damage) that lead to numbness, tingling, and pain in the extremities. The exact mechanism behind COVID-19-related neuropathies is still under investigation.
• Guillain-Barré Syndrome: An autoimmune disorder that affects nerves, resulting in muscle weakness and paralysis. Meningitis is an inflammation of the meninges in the brain—multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C) with neurological involvement in pediatric cases. Brain imaging (neuroimaging findings) scans reveal abnormalities in severe cases.
• Neurological Sequelae: Reports of long-lasting neurological symptoms post-recovery, such as cognitive issues and fatigue. Cerebrovascular events that affect the nerves, causing muscle weakness and sometimes paralysis. Myelitis is a rare inflammation of the spinal cord.
• Transverse Myelitis: It is a rare neurological disorder that affects the spinal cord (becomes inflamed), which results in pain, numbness, loss of sensation in the limbs, and weakness in the legs, and it occurs due to the autoimmune response.

What Are the Symptoms of Neurological Manifestations of COVID-19?

• Fever or chills.

• Cough.

• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.

• Fatigue.

• Muscle or body aches.

• Headache.

• New loss of taste or smell, sore throat.

• Congestion or runny nose.

• Nausea or vomiting.

• Diarrhea.

• Trouble breathing.

• Persistent pain or pressure in the chest.

• Difficulty in walking and sleeping.

The neurological symptoms vary from mild to severe,

• Loss of smell and taste.

• Headache.

• Dizziness and vertigo.

• Confusion and cognitive Impairment.

• Stroke.

• Seizure.

• Encephalopathy.

• Neuropathies.

• Guillain-Barré syndrome.

• Myalgia.

What Are Drugs Used for Neurological COVID-19?

No specific drugs are used for the neurological manifestation of COVID-19 treatment. Some drugs are used to treat the neurological symptoms of COVID-19. These drugs are

• Corticosteroids can help to reduce the risk of meningitis in the brain and spinal cord.
• Anticonvulsants are used to control seizures.
• Immunosuppressants help to suppress the immune system, which may help to prevent the body from attacking its nerves.
• Blood thinners prevent blood clots, which can cause strokes.
• Pain relievers are used to relieve the pain.

There are no currently specific vaccines for the neurological manifestations of COVID-19. However, COVID-19 vaccines are available today to prevent the virus that causes COVID-19, which can also help prevent neurological manifestations.

What Is the Treatment and Management of COVID-19?

In managing the neurological manifestations of COVID-19, supportive care to manage neurological symptoms includes rest, hydration, and pain relief. Medical Interventions like antiviral drugs, anti-inflammatory agents, and blood thinners are given to patients experiencing COVID-19. Rehabilitation techniques are preferred when patients who experience neurological complications might benefit from physical, speech, or occupational therapy.

Some of the techniques used to prevent the spread of the disease include washing hands frequently with the use of soap and water for at least 20 seconds, avoiding contact with people with the disease, staying home if one has COVID-19, always covering one's mouth and nose with a tissue or cloth when having (cold) cough or sneeze, throw away used tissues or cloth in the trash and keep clean floors and surfaces that may be contaminated with the virus.

Conclusion

COVID-19's impact extends beyond the respiratory system, affecting the nervous system and leading to various neurological manifestations. Early recognition and comprehensive management of these symptoms are important for managing the disease and understanding its complexity of the disease. The long-term effects of COVID-19 on the nervous system are still being studied. However, COVID-19 can severely impact the brain and nervous system. If a person has been infected with COVID-19, it is important to be aware of the possible neurological symptoms and to seek treatment if they experience them.