Health experts are urging the public to be vigilant for five specific symptoms of Covid that could manifest during meal times, distinguishing it from other common seasonal ailments. Amidst high COVID-19 cases in the UK, alongside respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), flu, and norovirus, there’s growing concern over a potential “quademic” this winter.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) issued an update, stating: “We see cases of flu, RSV, COVID-19 and norovirus throughout the year, but in winter they circulate at the same time and can reach high levels. We also track other respiratory viruses – rhinovirus, adenovirus, human metapneumovirus (hMPV) and parainfluenza – that can also peak over the autumn and winter months.”
Identifying the correct illness is crucial for treatment and preventing further spread. As such, the UKHSA has highlighted key Covid symptoms to watch out for.
While the virus may not cause as “severe” an illness as during the early pandemic days, it continues to result in “severe illness, hospitalisations, and deaths”, particularly among those with weakened immune systems, pre-existing health conditions, and the elderly. The health authority explained: “It is normal and expected for viruses to genetically change over time and the new COVID-19 variants, much like previous variants, can spread easily through droplets released when an infected person coughs, sneezes or speaks. The autumn COVID-19 vaccines are our best defence against serious illness.”
It also recognised that Covid symptoms have evolved, noting five particular signs that might become evident while eating: a sore throat, loss of appetite, nausea, alterations in sense of taste, and changes in sense of smell. According to UKHSA, though Covid symptoms may mirror those of a cold, they could be paired with fever or chills, a continuous cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, muscle aches, headache, a congested nose, and diarrhoea.
Currently, those who are 65 and older, reside in care homes for the elderly, or are part of a clinical risk group from the age of six months, can access the COVID-19 vaccine through the NHS.
How to protect yourself
Aside from getting vaccinated, to reduce the chances of contracting Covid, the NHS advises habitual handwashing with soap and water or the use of hand sanitiser throughout the day. “Try to avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean,” it suggests.
Preventative strategies to further diminish the risk of Covid are particularly important for individuals who are especially vulnerable:
The UKHSA added that the symptoms of RSV to look out for include a cough, wheezing, shortness of breath, tiredness and fever. It’s easy to confuse flu symptoms with Covid, but signs such as severe cold symptoms accompanied by fever or body aches could indicate the flu.
On the other hand, norovirus symptoms primarily include nausea, diarrhoea, and vomiting, along with potential high temperature, headache, and aching limbs.