Coronavirus symptoms: How to identify if your symptoms are of the original COVID strain or the new one?

Being aware of early signs and symptoms of novel coronavirus is one way to nip the infection in its bud. With the presence of new COVID mutations, awareness is all the more important. As cases related to the new coronavirus mutation rise in an alarming manner across the world, experts feel that even the smallest mistakes and ignorance will cost us heavily.

Not only is the new UK strain, one of the most rapidly surging one much more contagious, it is also said to have a higher than ever mortality rate. Young people, apart from the high-risk groups are now, too at risk, being more susceptible to catching the virus.

First said to have originated around September, by December, it had been assumed that nearly a quarter of the cases in London were related to the new mutation of the virus.

Right now, the only way to diagnose the new strain is by gene sequencing the sample.

However, while the sequence is still being researched, experts have noticed a common trend in the symptoms which come up with the new strain, and the ones which make it different from the previous one.

Doctors across the UK have observed slight deviations in the onset of symptoms, or particular symptoms which differ between the two COVID strains.

We tell you a few ways which can help you differentiate between the original COVID strain and the much deadlier strain, B.1.1.7 variant

Novel coronavirus infection, spread by the SARS-COV-2 virus can unleash a host of symptoms on the carrier. The more we learn about the disease, more are we finding possible symptoms related to this.

Broadly categorized as a respiratory virus, a person with COVID-19 could have symptoms like a persistent, continuous cough (which is dry), low or high-grade fever, loss of smell and taste. These are three symptoms which are common with COVID-19.

A considerable percentage of people can also be asymptomatic, i.e., have no symptoms at all. Apart from that, COVID-19 can also cause symptoms like diarrhoea, headache, muscle pain, fatigue, nausea, brain fog, weakness etc. Symptoms can also differ, based on the severity of your infection.

Now, according to NHS guidelines, the most commonly observed symptoms in people infected by the new COVID strain (UK variant) are fever, sore throat, muscle pain, cough and fatigue.

Muscle pain, headache, fatigue- which can also be signs of chronic inflammation, and linger for long have been frequent signs of the new coronavirus mutation. Do remember, other signs and symptoms can be felt too.

There's also growing evidence which suggests that the higher transmissible strain may not only be infecting more people but have a higher pre-symptomatic/asymptomatic stage, which is said to be the time when a person is most likely to spread COVID.

In India, where the new strain is slowly spreading, initial cases were also found to be asymptomatic.

As research continues, we'll have to wait to discover what exactly does the new coronavirus mutation entail.

However, doctors are witnessing that a lot of people with the new strain are NOT reporting loss of smell and taste, otherwise a typical sign in 60% COVID cases as their primary symptom.

Many also feel that people testing positive for the new strain are less likely to report extremely high temperature, which, otherwise can commonly happen.

Apart from that, no difference in the severity of symptoms like shortness of breath, gastrointestinal pain, nausea has been reported so far.

The UK variant, of all the mutations lurking around right now, is the nastier one.

Research is still ongoing to see if the other known variants, including the South Africa strain, Brazilian one also posit different symptoms or not.

However, since these variants are just as transmissible and infectious as the UK one, many believe that the signs and symptoms won't be much different.

Any strain of the virus requires diligent care and measures taken right away.

If you have a persisting cough, sore throat, fever, muscle pain or unusual fatigue, consider getting a COVID test done right away.

Isolate yourself, seek proper medical advice and follow all prerequisite measures.

If you develop severe signs of infection, such as acute shortness of breath, chest pain, heart pain, delirium or intense fever, it may be a sign that you need to be hospitalized.