British Scientists analyzing data from a tracking application of symptoms widely used Covid-19 have found that there are six different types of the disease caused by the coronavirus, each of which is distinguished by a group of symptoms.
The team at King’s College London found that all six types also correlate with levels of severity of the infection and the likelihood that a patient will need help breathing, such as oxygen or ventilator treatment if they are hospitalized.
All six types also correlate with the probability of a patient being hospitalized
The study, published online on June 16 but has not yet been reviewed by independent experts, described the following types of Covid-19:
1. Flu without fever: headache, loss of smell, muscle aches, cough, sore throat, chest pain, no fever.
2. Flu with fever: headache, loss of smell, cough, sore throat, hoarseness, fever, loss of appetite.
3. Gastrointestinal: headache, loss of smell, loss of appetite, diarrhea, sore throat, chest pain, no cough.
4. Severe level one, fatigue: headache, loss of smell, cough, fever, hoarseness, chest pain, fatigue.
5. Severe level two, confusion: headache, loss of smell, loss of appetite, cough, fever, hoarseness, sore throat, chest pain, fatigue, confusion, muscle pain.
6. Severe level three, abdominal and respiratory: headache, loss of smell, loss of appetite, cough, fever, hoarseness, sore throat, chest pain, fatigue, confusion, muscle pain, shortness of breath, diarrhea, pain abdominal.
Patients with symptoms in groups 4,5 and 6 were more likely to be admitted to the hospital and more likely to need respiratory assistance, the researchers said.
The findings could help doctors predict which COVID-19 patients are most vulnerable and are likely to need hospital care in future waves of the epidemic.
“If you can predict who these people are on the fifth day, you have time to support them and make early interventions, such as monitoring blood sugar and oxygen levels, and making sure they are properly hydrated,” said Claire Steves, one of the doctors who has led the study.
