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London Covid: The 4 cold symptoms that could actually be coronavirus

Document Cited in Related
Vincent
Published date18 June 2021
Date18 June 2021
At any other time -and especially if it was winter -we'd just write it off as a cold or a flu virus.

But right now, what should we make of it

In fact recent research into the virus suggests that symptoms such as a runny nose and a cold, are now much more common than persistent cough and fever that was previously top of the list.

The classic signs of coronavirus reported since the start of the pandemic have been loss of smell or taste, a new persistent cough, and a fever, but Prof Tim Spector of Imperial College London has said data collected since the start of May shows these are less common now.

He has in fact called on the Government to update the list of "classic" Covid symptoms as sneezing is now among the most common signs.

Prof Spector is co-founder of the ZOE Covid symptom study, said recent data showed the "classic" signs of having the virus have now changed with a headache, runny nose and sore throat more common. Here is the recent data.

The study is the world's largest ongoing study into the virus with more than four million people across the globe logging information on symptoms, testing and vaccines.

All participants have tested positive for the virus.

Until this point people have been urged to watch for three key symptoms -new or persistent cough, fever and loss or change to your sense of smell or taste -that could show they have contracted Covid-19, but it has been reported that the Delta variant has changed the main issues people are reporting.

Prof Spector said a headache was now at the top of the list of most common symptoms, with 60 per cent of people who experienced one testing positive for the virus.

A runny nose and sore throat were also in the top three and sneezing is listed at number four, though it can be confused with hayfever.

A persistent cough was the only original "classic" symptom to make the top five.

The two other "classic" signs of fever and loss of smell and taste -coming in at number seven and nine respectively.

Prof Spector said: "It is about time the government, after a year and a half, change the list of classic symptoms.

"We do need a much broader flexible approach to...

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