For the past 18 months, experts have warned of a crossover of symptoms, making it difficult to distinguish between COVID-19 and the common cold.
The virus’s symptoms are strikingly similar to those of a common cold, particularly in those who are fully vaccinated.
Vaccinated people who contract the virus are likely to have a runny nose, sore throat, and sneezing, according to experts.
However, new research from King’s College London’s ZOE Covid Symptom study has discovered that there is one symptom that can help tell the difference.
According to the data, loss of smell (anosmia) or loss of taste is still one of the most important predictors of testing positive for coronavirus rather than a common cold.
According to the researchers, you can easily test your sense of smell at home by sniffing scented foods or products or noticing if familiar foods lose their flavor or taste strange.
Since the app’s launching, millions of people have been logging their symptoms, tests, and vaccines on the UK ZOE COVID Symptom Study.
Scientists now know that Covid-19 causes more than 20 symptoms, including headache, runny nose, sneezing, and sore throat, thanks to health reports.
Most Common Covid symptoms after vaccination
Data as of September 2021:
- Runny nose
- Headache
- Sneezing
- Sore throat
- Loss of smell (anosmia)
Most common COVID-19 symptoms in unvaccinated
- Headache
- Runny Nose
- Sore Throat
- Fever
- Persistent cough
Loss of smell (anosmia) comes further down the list for unvaccinated people, but it’s still an important predictor of having COVID-19 rather than a regular cold.
Regular cold symptoms
- Blocked or runny nose
- Sore throat
- Headaches
- Muscle aches
- Coughs
- Sneezing
- Raised temperature
- Pressure in your ears and face
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