Audiovestibular Manifestations Among Covid 19 Virus Patients

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Audio-vestibular Unit, Otolaryngology department, Sohag Faculty of Medicine, Sohag University, Sohag, Egypt

2 Public health & Community medicine department, Sohag Faculty of Medicine, Sohag University, Sohag, Egypt.

Abstract

Introduction & rationale: The current outbreak of COVID-19 virus can lead to fever, fatigue, cough, shortness of breath and diarrhea. Several viral infections can affect the audio-vestibular pathway and can cause audio-vestibular manifestations. The objective of our study was to assess the effect of COVID-19 pandemic on the Audio-vestibular functions.
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional self-reported online questionnaire about audio-vestibular manifestations was carried out on 154 adult participants whom previously complaint from COVID-19 with positive Polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
Results: the mean age of participants was 30.54 years with higher predominance in females. During the infection the most common complaint was vertigo, followed by hearing loss then tinnitus. After resolution some of the affected participants reported that audiovestibular manifestations were improved mainly vertigo, and those with no manifestations during the infection not reported any audiovestibular complaint after recovery.
Conclusion: Audio-vestibular manifestations among COVID-19 should be taken into consideration as possible complaints in affected individuals. Early identification and management will help to give a better quality of life to those individuals.

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