Critical care wards in ten hospital trusts were full most of the past week, it is revealed today. The new variant of coronavirus, first discovered in November, is thought to be behind the increase in admissions. The new variant transmits more easily than other variants, although it is not known that it causes a more serious disease.
What has also emerged in the midst of the current wave is a slew of unusual symptoms.
The NHS highlights three main symptoms of COVID-19 – a high temperature, a new, persistent cough, and a loss or change in your sense of smell or taste.
However, the latest data show that a number of symptoms that fall outside the official list are very common.
Professor Tom Spector, an epidemiologist at King’s College London and lead scientist of the Zoe coronavirus symptom study in the UK Infection Survey, said one in five patients now have unusual symptoms.
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During the pandemic, British health agencies, such as the NHS, were repeatedly called upon to update their list of possible warning signs.
A similar institution in the US, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDD), has compiled a more comprehensive list of symptoms.
“People with COVID-19 have reported a wide range of symptoms – ranging from mild to severe,” the CDC explains.
To date, the health authority has listed 11 possible warning signs of COVID-19 to pay attention to.
A support bubble is where someone who lives alone (or just with their children) can meet people from one other household.
Can I treat my symptoms at home?
There is currently no specific treatment for coronavirus (COVID-19), but you can often relieve the symptoms at home until you recover.
However, according to the NHS, it can help if you have a high temperature:
- Rest a lot
- Drink plenty of fluids (water is best) to prevent dehydration – drink enough to keep your pee light and clear
- Take paracetamol or ibuprofen if you feel uncomfortable.
There have been some news reports about anti-inflammatory painkillers, such as ibuprofen, which aggravate the coronavirus.
The Commission on Human Drugs has now confirmed that there is no clear evidence that the use of ibuprofen for the treatment of symptoms such as high temperature exacerbates the coronavirus.