COVID-19 linked with new set of symptoms, according to study of over a million people

Chills, loss of appetite, headache and muscle aches could be a sign of COVID-19 infection, according to new findings.

Based on swab tests and questionnaires taken from June up until last month as part of Imperial College London’s REACT study of over one million people, those with the above symptoms were more likely to test positive for the virus.

This is in addition to the “classic” symptoms of COVID-19 already included in NHS guidance, which are:

• Fever

• New persistent cough

• Loss of sense of smell and taste

The more symptoms people showed, the more likely they were to test positive for the virus – although the study pointed out that around 60% of infected people did not report any symptoms at all in the week leading up to their test.

There was some variation in symptoms depending on age, but chills were associated with COVID-19 across all age groups.

Headaches were most reported in young people aged five to 17, although they were less likely to report the classic symptoms of fever and persistent cough.

Appetite loss was most common in 18 to 54-year-olds as well as those over 55, and muscle aches in people aged 18 to 54.

People in England are currently encouraged to get an NHS test if they have any of the “classic” symptoms.

The researchers have estimated that if everyone who had these symptoms got tested, around half of symptomatic coronavirus infections would be picked up.

But if these new symptoms are included, they believe this number would rise to around three quarters.

(c) Sky News 2021: COVID-19 linked with new set of symptoms, according to study of over a million people