Doctors in the US believe they are the first to report persistent hiccups as a presenting complaint of COVID-19.

A 62-year-old man had presented to the ED of a Chicago hospital following four days of hiccups and unexplained weight loss over a period of months.

He had no known symptoms of COVID-19, but was found to be positive when tested following a chest CT scan, write the authors of a case report.

They say the case highlights the importance of a detailed examination in patients presenting with hiccups, as well as the need for doctors to remain vigilant to avoid becoming infected themselves.