Ellen DeGeneres recently shared her personal experience with COVID-19, revealing that she faced an unusual and extremely uncomfortable symptom: severe back pain. The beloved talk show host contracted the virus in December 2020, despite following recommended safety precautions at the time, and described the discomfort as one of the most surprising parts of her illness.
During her recovery, DeGeneres spoke candidly about what she went through. “What they don’t tell you is that you can experience severe back pain. I had no idea that was a symptom until I spoke with a few other people,” she explained. Her words highlight the fact that COVID-19 can affect people differently, with symptoms that extend beyond the commonly recognized fever, cough, and fatigue.
For many, the virus has brought a wide variety of physical effects, ranging from mild to more serious. In Ellen’s case, the back pain was so strong that it caught her completely off guard. She admitted that it was not something she had heard about before, which made it even more concerning at the time. By sharing her story, she has helped bring awareness to one of the less-discussed symptoms.
Medical experts note that musculoskeletal pain, including joint aches and back discomfort, has been reported by many patients recovering from COVID-19. Inflammation caused by the body’s immune response, combined with the physical stress of fighting off illness, can sometimes lead to lingering pain. While not everyone experiences this, doctors emphasize that symptoms can vary widely depending on the individual’s health, immune system, and the severity of infection.
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