TV icon Ellen DeGeneres recently opened up about her battle with COVID-19, revealing a shocking and painful symptom—severe back pain. Though she tested positive in December 2020, she says nothing prepared her for the excruciating discomfort she experienced.

“What they don’t tell you is that you will have severe back pain,” Ellen shared. “I had no notion that was a symptom until I spoke with a few other people.” Her story has shined a light on lesser-known COVID symptoms, reminding the public that the virus affects everyone differently. Medical experts confirm that muscle and back pain can be linked to the body’s inflammatory response, even if it’s not widely discussed.

Ellen’s honesty has sparked conversations across social media, giving a voice to others who’ve suffered in silence. Her experience serves as a powerful reminder: COVID-19’s impact is far more unpredictable than we often realize.