Covid, neck pain? Possible connection with subacute thyroiditis

SICKNESS, fever, discomfort and pain in the front of the neck, which increases with swallowing and chewing. And in some cases even ear pain, tachycardia, sweating, anxiety and tremors. These are the symptoms that Sars-CoV-2 positive patients should look out for and for which they should seek medical attention to possibly detect the presence of subacute thyroiditis linked to the infection. This is the warning launched by the experts of the Endocrinologists Association (AME-ETS), as part of the new initiative “AME informs patients’, a fortnightly appointment that aims to communicate and train patient associations on endocrinological issues of interest.

“Recent scientific publications have shown a correlation between covid-19 and thyroid disease”, reports Franco Grimaldi, president of AME-ETS – In particular, an Italian study described the first case of subacute thyroiditis in a woman with Sars-CoV -2. Subacute thyroiditis is inflammation of the thyroid gland, which occurs in conjunction with a viral infection of the upper respiratory tract. The viruses most frequently responsible are: the influenza virus, the adenoviruses, the coxsackie viruses and the mumps virus “

It is therefore possible that the virus responsible for Covid-19 can also cause inflammation of the thyroid gland. Indeed it does, albeit in rare cases. “The demonstration that even the virus can attack the thyroid – says Grimaldi – must certainly not frighten, also because so far there have been isolated cases. But it is necessary to pay attention to some particular symptoms and contact the trusted doctor in their presence”.

The most characteristic symptom concerns neck pain. “The pain is often localized, increases with palpation of the neck and can affect different areas of the neck or radiate towards the jaw or ear”, specifies Grimaldi. The good news is that the scientific data available so far is reassuring. “It would seem, in fact, that the symptoms of subacute thyroiditis during Covid-19 are milder than in other forms of subacute thyroiditis”; specifies the president of the AME-ETS. “The typical inflammatory process of classical subacute thyroiditis evolves over a period of months. The treatment includes anti-inflammatory drugs (cortisone or not) and in most cases – he continues – it is self-limited, with complete normalization of thyroid function. part of the cases the initial phase of hyperthyroidism is followed after a few weeks by a slight hypothyroidism, which generally disappears spontaneously “. Experts therefore urge not to be alarmed. “It is only a good idea to pay attention and seek medical attention in the presence of characteristic symptoms, to be evaluated without wasting time and treated if necessary”, concludes Grimaldi.