Berlin Spring does not necessarily mean that all the health problems associated with colds are over. German nuclear medicine specialists are now warning of thyroid inflammation, which can occur as a complication of previous viral infections. Suspicion should be raised in the event of sudden and prolonged pain in the throat and jaw. “In the spring, cold viruses are on the move once more. In addition to adenoviruses, the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which is currently rampant at record levels, can also be the trigger for the rare but often extremely painful subacute thyroiditis de Quervain (SAT),” writes the Professional Association of German Nuclear Medicine (BDN) in a broadcast.
SAT disease can be mild, but the symptoms of the autoimmune disease are usually severe. “Frequent complaints are severe throat and neck pain, which can radiate into the lower jaw and ear region,” reports Norbert Czech from the BDN. “And there is a typical sign of the disease: It hurts as soon as you press lightly once morest the thyroid gland from the outside.” Fever, muscle and joint pain and fatigue also occur. According to Czech, this might lead to a severe feeling of illness. There are also functional disorders of the thyroid gland with over and underfunction.
