- A “mysterious virus” has gained attention on TikTok, with many social media users saying they are experiencing a range of symptoms including congestion, light-headedness and shortness of breath.
- Experts say this “mysterious virus” shares many symptoms with other common respiratory illnesses and there is no need to worry.
- Symptoms can be treated with over-the-counter painkillers, rest, and hydration.
- Experts recommend practicing good hand hygiene to slow the spread of viral diseases.
It's not unusual to feel a little uncomfortable around this time of year. It's finally cold and flu season. However, concerns about a “mysterious virus'' are spreading online.
People started speculating about a “mysterious virus” when a video by TikTok user @thatgirlkanesha went viral in February.
“Are you trying to say that everyone in the United States has some kind of virus but we don't know what it's called?” she shares in the video.
“When I say everyone, I include myself. I just got infected with the so-called virus last week. I was so lightheaded. I felt nauseous. I felt like I was going to pass out. All these symptoms caused me to This does not apply to you.”
Countless videos have since been published in which online creators claim to be experiencing many of the symptoms of COVID-19, such as congestion and shortness of breath, despite testing negative. ing.
But health experts say the so-called “mystery virus” is not a cause for concern.
It's not clear exactly what illness the people seen in the viral video have, but health experts say there likely aren't too many mysteries to unravel. Says.
“The symptoms people describe in the videos, such as coughing, fever, fatigue, and general muscle aches, are common to many viral illnesses, including the common cold, COVID-19, and the influenza virus.” says board-certified family physician Dr. Sara Bonza. .
In addition, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is also a prevalent disease that can cause symptoms similar to other viral infections such as the common cold, influenza, and coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
“These diseases can have significant overlap in symptoms, so people can often mistake symptoms for each other, even if they haven't been formally tested,” she points out.
Additionally, Dr. Semiya Aziz, general practitioner and founder of Say GP, explains that common viral diseases (such as colds and flu) mutate and change over time, forming new strains. It points out that there is a possibility.
“This doesn't mean it's a new virus. It's just a new version of an old virus,” she points out. “These changes can cause new symptoms that were previously unknown and may explain what people are now calling the mystery virus.”
It's natural to be worried when new and unexpected symptoms occur, but there's no doubt that the “mysterious virus” currently trending on TikTok is likely a common respiratory illness. Experts agree.
Bonza said trends like this could cause unwarranted disease fears.
“We live in a post-pandemic era, and when combined with social media, health concerns can spread quickly, even without solid evidence,” she points out.
Additionally, Bonza suggests that the symptoms people are describing are not specific, are flu-like, and could be caused by a common viral illness such as the flu.
Bonza said this is not surprising considering we are nearing the end of winter.
The unknown often causes anxiety, but TikTok's “mystery virus” doesn't seem to be anything serious.
“It's scary to have these new symptoms, but people suffering from this infection say they are not life-threatening or require hospitalization,” Aziz said. points out.
“While some of these symptoms can be quite frightening, it's important to realize that most viral infections are self-limiting and will pass within a few days with or without over-the-counter medications,” she says. Point out.
Online claims can cause unnecessary fear, Bonza says, and people should be especially careful when believing so-called health information they find online.
She advises waiting for official announcements from the CDC or local health authorities.
“There is a meticulous system followed by public authorities when managing rapidly spreading infectious diseases, so there is no need to worry even if there is no official announcement at this time,” Bonza points out.
Although the mystery virus is probably nothing to worry about, you may find the symptoms unpleasant, inconvenient, and debilitating. So how should it be treated?
“Rest is very important,” says Aziz. “Make sure to get enough sleep and avoid excessive exercise so your body can fight the virus effectively.”
It's also a good idea to make sure you stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water.
“Not only does this help you stay hydrated, but it can also help thin mucus secretion and reduce symptoms such as a sore throat and dry cough,” Aziz explains.
Antibiotics are not effective against viruses such as colds and influenza. However, you can take pain medication. Aziz says over-the-counter pain medications may help reduce fever and relieve headaches and body aches.
But Dr. Bonza says if your fever doesn't seem to go down after a week and you have signs of difficulty breathing, such as difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, moaning, sweating, or wheezing, you should see a health care professional. saying.
Bonza says practicing hand hygiene with soap and water to prevent the spread of germs is a great place to start.
She also recommends increasing your intake of vitamin C and making time for rest to keep your immune system healthy and strong.
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle also helps.
“Eating a balanced diet, staying physically active, getting enough sleep, managing stress, and avoiding tobacco smoke and excessive alcohol consumption can all help support your immune system. It could be useful,” Aziz said.
“Incorporating these precautions into your daily life may reduce your risk of viral infection and protect you and others from getting sick,” she says.
We also recommend that you keep up-to-date on vaccinations, such as the annual influenza vaccine and COVID-19 vaccine. These can reduce your chances of contracting a viral illness and reduce the severity of your infection if you do get infected.
Health experts say there is little mystery about the so-called “mystery virus” trending on social media platforms such as TikTok.
The symptoms described in many online posts overlap with respiratory illnesses seen during each cold and flu season.
Health information shared on social media can often cause fear, but so-called “mystery viruses” are unlikely to be a cause for serious concern.
