Neurological Problems in COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

AbstractCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a potentially severe acute respiratory infection caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). This outbreak, which emerged in Wuhan city, rapidly spread throughout China and has now become a global public health concern. SARS-CoV-2 is a highly pathogenic and transmissible virus. Common clinical manifestations of COVID-19 include fever, dry cough, shortness of breath, muscle ache, headache, and confusion. Currently, there is no confirmed effective therapeutic strategy for COVID-19 because the pathological mechanism is poorly understood. In addition to the respiratory system involvement, recent evidence has shown that SARS-CoV-2 can affect other organ systems including nervous, vascular, digestive, and urinary system. Various neurological complications have also been described in various studies. Nervous system involvement in the case of SARS-CoV-2 is explained by direct neuro invasion, immune mechanism, and other systemic factors. Neurological complications due to SARS-CoV-2 include both central and peripheral nervous system involvement. Central nervous system complications range from mild headache to seizures, encephalitis, myelitis, and acute cerebrovascular accidents. Peripheral nervous system complications range from vague muscle pains to Guillain–Barré syndrome. This article briefly discusses the various neurological and mental health issues related to COVID-19.