As covid infections continue to rise right across the UK, many people are experiencing differing symptoms.
A continuous cough, loss of taste or smell and a high temperature have been the main signs to watch out for if you suspect you may have covid. But one professor has said that the latest strain is beginning to show new symptoms that people should be made aware of.
New figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show that 2.7 million people in private households are estimated to have had Covid-19 last week, up 18% from 2.3 million the previous week. This is the highest estimate since late April, but is still below the record high of 4.9 million, which was reached at the end of March.
READ MORE: Most reported covid variants in the UK as cases soar
The World Health Organisation has labelled several variants of concern, one of interest and two they are monitoring. These include Omicron BA.1, Omicron BA.2, Omicron BA.4, Omicron BA.5 as variant under monitoring include Omicron BA.3 and Omicron BA.2.75.
According to the Irish Mirror, professor Luke O’Neill said that one extra symptom that comes with the BA.5 symptom was night sweats. He said: "The disease is slightly different because the virus has changed. There is some immunity to it, with the T cells and so on, and that mix of your immune system and the virus being slightly different might give rise to a slightly different disease, with strangely enough, night sweats being a feature."
What are the latest covid symptoms?
The NHS says covid symptoms in adults can include:
- a high temperature or shivering (chills)
- a new, continuous cough
- a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste
- shortness of breath
- feeling tired or exhausted
- an aching body
- a headache
- a sore throat
- a blocked or runny nose
- loss of appetite
- diarrhoea
- feeling sick or being sick
UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) guidance says people with symptoms "of a respiratory infection, such as Covid-19, and who have a high temperature or do not feel well" should "try" to stay at home and avoid contact with others. If you receive a positive covid test, it says, you should "try" to stay at home for five days.
The NHS also advises people who test positive, or suspect they may have covid, take extra care to avoid people who are vulnerable and could become seriously ill if infected.
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