‘INCREDIBLY PAINFUL,’ says Ellen DeGeneres. ‘I had no idea that was a symptom.’

Ellen DeGeneres recently disclosed her battle with COVID-19, shedding light on an unexpected manifestation: excruciating back pain. Despite adhering to precautions, she contracted the virus in December 2020. Sharing her ordeal, she remarked, “What they don’t tell you is that you will have severe back pain. I had no notion that was a symptom until I spoke with a few other people.”

At the outset of the pandemic, the CDC did not include back pain in its list of COVID symptoms, though muscle aches were acknowledged. However, as the virus disseminated globally, reports of back pain escalated, partly attributable to diminished physical activity due to lockdowns and remote work.

A study conducted in Malta revealed that 49% of individuals experienced back pain following the onset of the pandemic, as opposed to 30% beforehand. While back pain can indicate COVID-19, it does not conclusively imply infection. Numerous other factors can precipitate backaches, underscoring the importance of considering additional symptoms and seeking guidance from a healthcare professional if necessary.