COVID-19 Symptoms Have Changed Since Omicron Emergence

"If Frequent Sneezing Starts After Vaccination, You Should Get Tested for COVID-19"

Incheon International Airport Terminal 1 COVID-19 Testing Center. The photo is not related to the specific content of the article. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoon Seul-gi] Instead of the loss of smell, which was considered a representative symptom of COVID-19, runny nose or sneezing?symptoms similar to those of a cold or flu?have become the main symptoms.

According to the American media outlet The Hill on the 23rd (local time), the COVID symptom tracking application Zoe released a list on the 20th showing that the top five symptoms in recent weeks (based on cases with two vaccine doses) were sore throat, runny nose, nasal congestion, persistent cough, and headache. Previously prominent symptoms such as loss of smell, high fever, and difficulty breathing dropped to 6th, 8th, and 29th place, respectively.

The main symptoms of COVID-19 varied depending on the number of vaccine doses received. Among those infected after one vaccine dose, the top five symptoms were headache, runny nose, sore throat, sneezing, and persistent cough. For unvaccinated infected individuals, the main symptoms reported were headache, sore throat, runny nose, high fever, and persistent cough.

Zoe stated, "Sneezing and runny nose were not previously considered major symptoms of COVID-19," and recommended, "If you have been vaccinated but start experiencing frequent sneezing, you should get tested for COVID-19."

The media analyzed that the change in main symptoms is related to the dominant strain of the COVID-19 virus. Typically, patients infected with the Omicron variant exhibit milder symptoms compared to those infected with the Delta variant, and this is not unrelated to the symptom changes.

Some in the medical community are concerned that as the possibility of a winter flu epidemic increases, the main symptoms of COVID-19 resemble those of the common cold and flu. The virus causing COVID-19 is the coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), while most colds are caused by rhinoviruses, and the flu is caused by influenza viruses; each virus requires different treatment methods.

Dr. Ilan Shapiro, Chief Medical Officer at Altamed, emphasized the importance of testing, saying, "We have also started to see influenza, rhinoviruses, and many other viruses."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.