The COVID-19 pandemic, peaking in 2020, significantly impacted our lives, making it crucial to remain positive and optimistic amidst job losses and business closures. Although the virus’s spread has decreased, its presence is still felt today.
Many individuals who contracted COVID-19 experienced lingering symptoms, including lung and breathing issues. Recently, medical professionals discovered a connection between back pain and the virus, despite not initially listing it as a symptom.
Talk show host Ellen DeGeneres, who ended her 19-year run on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” in 2022, experienced back pain after contracting the virus. Despite taking proper precautions, Ellen tested positive for COVID-19 in December 2020. She revealed an often-unmentioned symptom during an appearance on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” with guests Billie Joe Armstrong, Jimmie Allen, and Brad Paisley.
Ellen shared her surprise, saying, “I feel fantastic. What they don’t tell you is that you will have severe back pain. I had no idea that was a symptom until I spoke with a few other people.”
Initially, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) did not list back pain as a COVID-19 symptom, but included “muscle or body aches” among other symptoms like fever, chills, cough, and shortness of breath. As more people reported severe back and muscle pain, awareness of this symptom grew.
The NHS website states that many patients may have experienced aches and pains before contracting COVID-19, which could have resurfaced or worsened during their illness.
Fortunately, Ellen made a swift recovery.