The throat is scratchy and swallowing is difficult: Sore throats often occur not only with colds, but also with a corona infection. If the symptoms persist, you should definitely take action.
Headaches and body aches, a slight fever, a runny nose, a sore throat and sometimes a temporary loss of smell and taste: numerous people are currently suffering from Corona with these symptoms every day.
Most of them can be treated with home remedies. which are recommended read here. Occasionally, however, individual symptoms continue after the infection has been overcome. You should be especially vigilant in the case of pain in the neck and jaw area: The thyroid could himself have ignited.
Sore throat after Covid: also think about thyroiditis
To Covid-19 then there is a risk of the rare but often extremely painful subacute de Quervain thyroiditis – SAT for short. According to the “Pharmazeutische Zeitung”, this form of thyroid inflammation was first described in 1904 by the Swiss surgeon Johann Friedrich de Quervain and named after him.
Thyroid disease typically occurs following viral respiratory infections. “As observations have shown since the beginning of the corona epidemic, the SARS-CoV-2 virus can promote the development of SAT,” informs the Professional Association of German Nuclear Medicine (BDN).
“If there’s a time period when de Quervain’s subacute thyroiditis could be on the rise, it’s now, with the common cold and SARS-CoV-2– Viruses spread at the same time,” states Dr. Norbert Czech in a current statement from the specialist society. He emphasizes that in the case of corresponding symptoms, the possibility of the existence of an SAT should always be considered.
How a SAT makes itself felt
An SAT whose exact cause is unknown can be mild. But the autoimmune disease is usually painful. According to the BDN, common complaints are throat and neck pain, which can radiate to the lower jaw and ear region.
A specific symptom is particularly typical: “It hurts as soon as you press lightly against the thyroid gland from the outside,” says Czech. As a rule, subacute thyroiditis lasts three to six weeks, but many patients complained of pain for months.
Do not stop drug therapy too soon
Acute thyroid inflammation, which can be observed seasonally in spring and autumn, heals on its own in about 80 percent of cases within a year. Nevertheless, according to Czech, those affected should consult a doctor if they have symptoms, who can not only alleviate the local symptoms, but also counteract any hypothyroidism that may otherwise persist in the long term.
If the thyroid inflammation is mild, anti-inflammatory painkillers such as acetylsalicylic acid and Ibuprofen. In the case of severe courses, the doctor can also cortisone prescribe. “In most cases, the symptoms disappear within a few weeks,” explains the BDN expert. However, the medication should not be stopped too early. “Then there’s almost always a relapse,” warns Czech. It is better to gradually reduce the drug.
Women are five times more likely to be affected than men
It is important to have your thyroid levels checked regularly. This is because SAT, which occurs five times more frequently in women than in men, usually occurs in phases: First there is an overactive thyroid gland, followed by a short-lasting normal thyroid function before hypothyroidism can set in.
According to Czech, this will also return to normal in most cases. If not, lifelong intake of thyroid hormones may become necessary.
Important NOTE: The information in no way replaces professional advice or treatment by trained and recognized doctors. The content of t-online cannot and must not be used to independently make diagnoses or start treatments.