Post-Cold Numbness: Neurological Symptoms After Illness

Numbness in the body after a cold?

Hello Doctor,
After experiencing a mild fever due to a cold on February 16, I have been feeling numbness in my arms and legs.
Sometimes, when I change my body position, I feel a tingling sensation from my back to the back of my head, especially when lying down.
Additionally, my neck and shoulders feel a bit stiff and slightly painful.

I have also noticed that when I sleep, there is a slight sharp pain on the left side of my head when it is pressed or rubbed against the pillow, and my left palm has started to feel some tingling and numbness.
I would like to ask if this condition is normal.
Thank you for your response, Doctor.

Yang Xiansheng, 20~29 year old female. Ask Date: 2023/02/18

Dr. Jiang Junyi reply Neurology

Hello Mr.
Yang,
You mentioned that "there is a slight stabbing pain when the left side of my head is pressed or rubbed while sleeping, and my left palm also has some tingling sensations." Based on your description, we may need to consider cervical nerve root compression, which is often related to tightness in the cervical muscles and degeneration of the cervical spine.
The seventh cervical vertebra and the eight pairs of nerves can be affected by prolonged poor posture, leading to curvature, narrowing, and deformation of the cervical spine.
This can cause disc compression between the fourth and fifth vertebrae, affecting the nerves that control the shoulders, resulting in neck and shoulder pain, as well as compression between the fifth and sixth vertebrae, which affects the nerves to the upper arms and fingertips, leading to symptoms of numbness, pain, and weakness in both hands.
Acute demyelinating polyneuropathy, also known as Guillain-Barré syndrome, is an acute peripheral neuropathy that may affect motor, sensory, and autonomic nervous systems.
Symptoms may include bilateral, symmetrical progressive weakness, limb pain, tingling in the hands and feet, or mild sensory abnormalities.
These symptoms can gradually worsen over a period of days to four weeks, and in severe cases, may affect the nerves in the head and neck or the muscles responsible for breathing and swallowing, leading to issues such as double vision, facial nerve paralysis, difficulty swallowing, or respiratory distress.
If your neurological symptoms of tingling and weakness progress rapidly, I recommend visiting the emergency room.
Thank you for your inquiry, and if you have any related questions, feel free to discuss further!
Wishing you good health and peace,
Dr.
Jiang Junyi, Taoyuan Medical Center

Reply Date: 2023/02/18

More Info

Post-viral neurological symptoms, such as numbness and tingling in the extremities, can occur after an illness like a cold or flu. These symptoms may arise due to several factors, including inflammation, nerve irritation, or even anxiety related to the illness. It’s important to understand that while these sensations can be concerning, they are often temporary and may resolve as your body recovers.

When you experience numbness or tingling, it is typically due to nerve compression or irritation. For instance, lying in a position that puts pressure on your arm or leg can lead to temporary numbness, often referred to as "falling asleep" of the limb. This sensation usually resolves once you change positions and relieve the pressure on the nerve. The tingling sensation you describe, particularly when changing positions, could be related to this type of nerve compression.

The symptoms you mentioned, such as the tingling from your back to your head and the stiffness in your neck and shoulders, could also be indicative of muscle tension or strain. After an illness, it is common for individuals to experience muscle tightness due to changes in activity levels or postural habits while recovering. Stress and anxiety can exacerbate these symptoms, leading to increased muscle tension and discomfort.

The specific sensations you are experiencing in your left hand and head while sleeping could be related to how you are positioning yourself during sleep. If you are resting your head on your left side, the pressure may be causing temporary irritation to the nerves in that area, leading to the tingling or "pins and needles" sensation.
While these symptoms can be alarming, they are often benign and resolve with time. However, it is essential to monitor your symptoms. If the numbness or tingling persists, worsens, or is accompanied by other concerning symptoms such as weakness, loss of coordination, or changes in vision, it would be prudent to consult a healthcare professional for further evaluation.
In some cases, post-viral syndromes can lead to conditions like postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) or chronic fatigue syndrome, which may present with similar neurological symptoms. Therefore, if your symptoms do not improve or if you have additional concerns, a thorough examination by a neurologist may be warranted. They may recommend tests such as nerve conduction studies or imaging studies to rule out any underlying conditions.

In summary, while the symptoms you are experiencing after your cold may be concerning, they are often related to nerve compression or muscle tension and may resolve as you continue to recover. However, if symptoms persist or worsen, seeking medical advice is always a good idea to ensure there are no underlying issues that need to be addressed.

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