Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Oct 17, 2025 3 hours, 1 minute ago
Medical News: COVID-19 and Unexpected Muscle Damage
Researchers from North Zealand Hospital in Hillerød and Copenhagen University Hospital Hvidovre in Denmark have reported a rare but revealing case showing how COVID-19 can trigger sudden muscle inflammation and weakness even in healthy individuals. The case involved a 59-year-old woman who developed severe muscle pain and fatigue shortly after being infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. She had no prior neuromuscular conditions, medication use, or family history of muscle disorders. This
Medical News report highlights how such symptoms, though temporary, can be alarming and mimic serious autoimmune diseases like Guillain–Barré syndrome or dermatomyositis.
COVID-19 Can Trigger Sudden Muscle Weakness in Healthy People
How the Case Unfolded
The woman first experienced fatigue, muscle aches, dizziness, shortness of breath, and trouble performing simple hand movements such as writing or using her phone. Within days, she developed significant weakness, struggling to climb stairs or even stand up. When admitted to the hospital, doctors found her muscle enzyme levels were abnormally high, including creatine kinase (1,370 U/L) and lactate dehydrogenase (616 U/L), indicating muscle injury. Other blood tests and spinal fluid analysis ruled out major autoimmune and neurological diseases.
Her test results confirmed COVID-19 infection, but no other viral infections were found. Interestingly, the only positive antibody detected was anti-Mi-2, usually associated with dermatomyositis, though she showed none of its characteristic skin symptoms. After evaluation by a team of neurologists, infectious disease experts, and rheumatologists, she was diagnosed with acute viral myopathy caused by COVID-19. Treatment included intravenous fluids, paracetamol, ibuprofen, and physiotherapy. Within a week, her strength returned, and she was discharged fully recovered after 10 days. Six months later, she remained healthy and active, even resuming horse riding and fitness routines.
Understanding COVID-19-Related Muscle Damage
Medical experts note that viral infections have long been known to cause muscle inflammation and pain. Viruses such as influenza, HIV, Epstein–Barr virus, and cytomegalovirus can attack muscles directly or trigger immune reactions that harm muscle tissue. SARS-CoV-2 appears to act in a similar way, possibly through immune system overactivation, cytokine release, or direct muscle cell invasion. Previous studies have described both mild, short-lived muscle inflammation and severe autoimmune forms that require immunosuppressive treatment.
The Danish researchers emphasize that in this case, the myopathy was mild and self-limiting, resolving quickly with supportive care. However, they urge clinicians to stay alert, as muscle weakness and fatigue after COVID-19 can be mistakenly attributed to other conditions, delaying proper management.
Conclusion
This case reinforces the growing understanding that COVID-19 affects far more than just
the lungs. It can trigger acute viral myopathy even in people with no prior health issues. While most patients recover fully, early recognition and supportive treatment remain essential to prevent complications and misdiagnosis. As scientists continue studying the virus’s complex impact on muscles and the immune system, public awareness of these lesser-known symptoms can help ensure faster recovery and better outcomes.
The study findings were published on a preprint server and are currently being peer reviewed.
https://www.preprints.org/manuscript/202509.2226/v1
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Read Also:
https://www.thailandmedical.news/articles/coronavirus
https://www.thailandmedical.news/articles/long-covid
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