Two symptoms have been dropped from the list of common signs of Covid-19.
According to the Covid app Zoe, which has been tracking Covid symptoms from the beginning of the pandemic, a sore throat and runny nose are no longer deemed major signs. Back in 2020 these were two main indicators of Coronavirus.
Since Covid first spread across the globe three years ago, the virus has developed new strains bringing different symptoms. While loss of smell and taste were once the top signs of Covid, the new 'classic' symptoms are high fever and breathlessness.
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Some patients are now reporting a sharp pain in the shoulders and legs, known as myalgia. This is said to arise from the effects of inflammatory molecules released by immune cells in response to the virus, and is common in people who are not vaccinated.
According to the Zoe Covid app, myalgia is regarded as a ‘top’ symptom of Covid. Dr Angelique Coetzee, a South African doctor who first spotted the Omicron strain, said myalgia tends to affect unvaccinated patients more intensely, but that those who have received the vaccine can still experience it.
“Covid-related muscle pains can range from being mild to quite debilitating, especially when they occur alongside fatigue," the health app says. “For some people, this muscle pain stops them from doing day-to-day tasks."
Health officials are warning that this sign can appear “early" in the infection period.
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