Delta strain changes symptoms of COVID-19

Health

Published: 2021-07-02 12:43

Last Updated: 2024-03-27 06:31


Delta strain changes symptoms of COVID-19
Delta strain changes symptoms of COVID-19

UK health data showed that the most common symptoms of the coronavirus may now have changed from the traditional symptoms, at a time when the highly contagious Delta strain is now prevalent in the UK.

The symptoms of fever and cough that were always common to COVID-19 continue, as well as some people suffering from headaches, sore throats and runny noses as well.

However, according to the Science Alert website, runny noses have been a rare symptom.

Meanwhile, loss of smell, which was originally a common symptom, fell into ninth place.

"There are several reasons why we see symptoms developing in this way," the site says. "The reason for this may be that the data was mainly coming from patients arriving at the hospital who are likely to be sicker."

"Due to higher vaccination rates in the older age groups, young people now account for a greater proportion of coronavirus cases, and are showing milder symptoms," he added.

The site attributed the reason for the change in symptoms to the evolution of the virus, and the different characteristics (viral factors) of the Delta strain.

"This data is important because it shows us that what we might think is just a runny nose and sore throat, could be a case of COVID-19," he added.

But he noted that "host factors" such as age, gender, other diseases, medications and so on were not taken into account, as in a rigorous clinical trial.

As with all self-reported data, some of these symptoms may not be definitive.

Although new viral strains can reduce the effectiveness of vaccines, two doses of the Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines still provide good protection against symptoms of COVID-19.