Covid symptoms change and long covid

List of covid (mostly BA.5) symptoms

Sore throat, 63%

Headache, 51%

Blocked nose, 48%

Cough, no phlegm, 46%

Runny nose, 45%

Cough with phlegm, 44%

Hoarse, 44%

Sneezing, 39%

Fatigue, 29%

Muscle pains 28%

Dizzy, 23%

Altered smell, 17%

Swollen neck glands, 16%

Sore eyes, 16%

Chest pain / tightness, 14%

Fever, 13%

Loss of smell, 13%

Shortness of breath, 12%,

Earache, 12%

Hot flushes, 11%

Tim Spector, Zoe data

https://health-study.joinzoe.com
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhYz9-zX0YA&t=87s

BA.5 wave

Probably less likely to affect the brain

Less likelihood of long covid

R = 1

Decline is leveling off

New daily cases, 103,790

Current prevalence, 1,609,529

Infections presenting less likely to cause symptoms

As from early July

Fewer symptoms and milder presentation

BA.5 may have lower viral load

Therefore, LFT less likely to test positive

Symptoms which increased in June 2022
(ONS since May, 2022)

Abdominal pain, fever, sore throat, muscle ache

In June 2022

61% reported any symptoms compatible with COVID-19

39% asymptomatic positives

Long Covid, 3 distinct types

https://health-study.joinzoe.com/blog/covid-long-covid-risk

Clusters of neurological symptoms

Fatigue, brain-fog, headache

Most commonly post Alpha and Delta variants.

Respiratory symptoms

Chest pain, severe shortness of breath

(could point to lung damage)

Largest cluster during the start of the pandemic

Diverse range of symptoms

Heart palpitations, muscle ache and pain, changes in skin and hair

Long COVID in Omicron cases

No firm data yet,but

20-50% less during the Omicron versus the Delta period

Dr Claire Steves

The Omicron variant appears substantially less likely to cause Long-COVID than previous variants,

but still 1 in 25 people who catch COVID-19 go on to have symptoms for more than four weeks.

UK long covid, 2nd July (ONS)

https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/healthandsocialcare/conditionsanddiseases/articles/coronaviruscovid19latestinsights/infections

1.8 million, (2.8% of population) experiencing self-reported long COVID

Of the 1.8 million

81% symptoms at least 12 weeks

43% at least one year after

21% at least two years

Symptoms adversely affected the day-to-day activities, 1.3 million people

Symptoms

Fatigue 54%

Shortness of breath 31%

Loss of smell 23%

Muscle ache 22%

Self-reported long COVID, more common in

Aged 35 to 69 years

Females

More deprived areas

Working in social care

Another activity-limiting health condition or disability 
Less common in students, retired, people looking for paid work