Persistent hiccups have recently been reported as a symptom of COVID-19, however, it does not appear on the Centers for Disease and Control’s (CDC) official list of signs. The reason why is because there’s only been one documented case study of hiccups associated with COVID-19, according to the board-certified emergency physician, Mitchell Li, M.D., owner of Drive Direct Care in Chicago.
Hiccups are an involuntary condition and can be triggered by certain foods we eat, strong emotions such as excitement, or stress.
Currently, NHS England has advised that the key coronavirus symptoms are a new and persistent cough, a high temperature or a loss of taste or smell.
As scientists know very little about the virus, new symptoms continue to emerge.
In May, NHS England added a loss of taste and smell to its official symptom list.
Researchers have since claimed that conditions such as headaches should be added to the official list, but could persistent hiccups be a new symptom of the deadly virus?
In a study published in the US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health, persistent hiccups as an atypical complaint of COVID-19 was investigated.
The study noted: “Hiccups (singultus) are reflex inspiratory movements that involve the swallowing reflex arc and can be classified as acute or persistent.
“A 62-year-old man with no history of malignancy or pulmonary disease presented to the Emergency Department with a four-day history of persistent hiccups.
“He endorsed a twenty-five-pound unintentional weight loss over the last four months, and more recently, persistent hiccups for four days prompting his visit to the emergency department.
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“A respiratory viral panel and COVID-19 swab were sent, and he was admitted to the COVID medical unit as a person under investigation.”
The study concluded that information regarding the clinical characteristics of COVID-19 is rapidly evolving as data continues to emerge throughout the world.
The case study presented a case of persistent hiccups as the presenting symptom of a COVID-19 infection in a 62-year-old man.
To the study’s knowledge, this is the first case report of persistent hiccups as the presenting complaint in a COVID-19 positive patient in emergency medicine literature.
The doctors from Cook County Health, in Chicago where the 62-year old man was treated after being tested positive for COVID-19 said that people displaying hiccups should not be dismissed.
They added: “Physicians should keep Covid-19 infection on their differential as more cases are discovered through atypical presentations.
“Providers must be vigilant and maintain personal protective equipment to avoid exposure from the undifferentiated patient.”
Experts believe that lung irritation caused by COVID-19 may be the reason for persistent hiccups.
Dr Neal Shipley said: “Hiccups are basically spasms that occur when the phrenic nerve, which controls diaphragm muscles, becomes irritated.
“So, irritation from COVID-related pneumonia could lead to persistent hiccups.
“However, not all cases of hiccups are alarming.
“You have to be careful in not presuming hiccups equals COVID-19.”
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