- The number one symptom of Covid is a sore throat with a headache the second most common, according to a new study.
- A high temperature or fever and loss of smell or taste were far less common, despite the NHS listing them high up as likely Covid symptoms.
- The data was collected from 17,500 people who said they had tested positive for the virus this week.
A recent news article published in the Evening Standard states that number one Covid symptom is now sore throat, new study says.
Blocked nose and cough
Blocked nose and cough were the next most common symptoms after a sore throat and headache.
Sneezing, tiredness, muscle aches and dizziness have also risen up the table of symptoms.
The top 10 Covid symptoms according to the data from the Zoe App study are:
- Sore throat – reported by 58%
- Headache – 49%
- Blocked nose – 40%
- Cough no phlegm – 40%
- Runny nose – 40%
- Cough with phlegm – 37%
- Hoarse voice – 35%
- Sneezing – 32%
- Fatigue – 27%
- Muscle pains/aches – 25%
The React-1 study
Separately, the React-1 study has sent 150,000 randomly selected people across England swab tests to do at home each month.
It revealed the symptoms of Covid have been changing as new strains have emerged during the pandemic.
There have been a number of Covid variants that have emerged, including the extremely contagious Omicron in recent months.
Loss of sense of smell and taste appears to be less common with the Omicron variant, React-1 researchers, from Imperial College London, have found.
More cold and flu-like symptoms
When people contract Omicron, they are reporting more cold and flu-like symptoms.
The study closely examined Omicron – known as BA.1 and BA.2 – which emerged in March 2022.
Professor Tim Spector, who runs the Zoe Health Study, said: “Covid is still rampant in the population. Even if people have had a past infection and are fully vaccinated, people are still catching it.
“Although we all want to make the most of the good weather, people will need to decide for themselves whether going to large events, working from the office or using busy public transport is worth the risk.”
Earlier this week total Covid deaths rose to above 200,000.
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Source: Evening Standard
