As Covid-19 cases continue to rise, it is easy to assume that the slightest upset could be a sign of the virus, including a sore throat. While it is a common symptom of many afflictions, it can also indicate coronavirus.
Public Health Scotland's latest figures show that Covid-19 cases have jumped by over 7000, with 21,914 cases reported in the last seven days, compared to 14,500 the previous week. According to the NHS, UK wide infections have spiked by more than half a million.
The current rise is likely a result by the latest Omicron variants BA.4 and BA.5. Scottish hospital numbers are also on the rise, with 1450 patients with Covid-19, a 26% increase compared to the previous week. Of these, 39 have been admitted to intensive care units.
As hospitals filling up, it is important to be aware of all the symptoms of coronavirus, no matter how common. To help protect yourself and others, here is everything you need to know about a sore throat and Covid-19, as reported by the Mirror.
Sore throat with Covid
Data from millions of ZOE Covid Symptom Study app contributors have revealed that a sore throat is a symptom of Covid-19. According to the app, a sore throat is a less well-known symptom, however, it is an early sign of the disease and reasonably common in children and adults up to the age of 65.
Experts have described the sore throat symptom as being “relatively mild”, lasting no more than five days. For a person who is suffering with a sore throat for longer than five days, this may indicate another type of infection.
The app reports a sore throat “usually” appears in the first week of illness and can improve “quite quickly”. “It feels worse on the first day of infection but gets better on each following day,” ZOE stated.
Their app users added that this sign can feel similar to a sore throat you might experience while having a cold or laryngitis. It’s important to remember that sore throats are common and caused by lots of respiratory illnesses, including the normal cold.
Although many people with Covid experience sore throats, most people with one will not have Covid. If the problem persists, it's advisable to speak with your GP about the possible cause for your sore throat.
Most common Covid-19 symptoms
When it comes to the most commonly reported symptom possibly indicating a Covid infection, a headache comes out at number one. Again, according to the ZOE Covid app, a headache is the top symptom with 69% of users reporting this ailment prior to an infection.
The app further explains how this painful symptom is “more common” than the other classic Covid signs. The headache symptom is also often first noticed before any breathing problems, says the app users.
According to the NHS, If you have Covid-19, you can pass on the virus to other people for up to 10 days from when your infection starts. Many people will no longer be infectious to others after five days.
You should:
- Try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people for five days
- Avoiding meeting people at higher risk from Covid-19 for 10 days, especially if their immune system means they’re at higher risk of serious illness from coronavirus, even if they’ve had a vaccine.
