Audiovestibular and vaccination complications of COVID-19

Takwa A. Gabr1, Mona Kotait2, Asmaa Salah Moaty3
1Audiovestibular Medicine Unit, Otolaryngology Department, Kafrelsheikh University Hospitals, Kafr Elsheikh, Egypt
2Audiovestibular Medicine Unit, Otolaryngology Department, Tanta University Hospitals, Tanta, Egypt
3Audiovestibular Medicine Unit, Otolaryngology Department, Shebin Elkom University Hospitals, Shebin Elkom, Egypt

Tóm tắt

Abstract Objectives Since its first appearance in Wuhan December 2019, SARS-CoV2 virus received great attention due to its severe symptoms and high spread causing COVID-19 disease which spread all over the world like a pandemic. The causative virus is capable of human-to-human transmission via droplet and direct contact suggesting that upper respiratory tract is the main site to virus manifestations. There is a great diversity in its clinical picture, although the severe respiratory and neurological symptoms are commonly present; however, other symptoms are present. Although otological manifestations are reported in many COVID-19 patients even in asymptomatic cases, they did not receive much attention compared with other critical manifestations. In this article, we paid our attention specifically to the otological manifestations of COVID-19 and their relevance either to the virus infection, treatment, or vaccination through literature review. Conclusion COVID-19 disease has a deleterious effect on the inner ear. This effect is not only due to SARS-Cov-2 infection, but it could be also due to the ototoxic drugs used for treatment. The COVID-19 vaccinations are found to be implicated in the otological symptoms in some cases.

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