Coronavirus: An 'early' COVID symptom may occur in your legs and shoulders

Since the onset of COVID-19, several new variants of the SARs-CoV-2 virus have emerged and thrived. While some caused mild symptoms, there were those that wreaked a lot of havoc. But each new strain tends to introduce people to a unique range of symptoms or a different chronology of health problems.

Earlier on in the pandemic, fever, cough, loss of sense of smell and taste and chest pain were some of the most common symptoms - particularly with Alpha and Delta variants. However, with the emergence of COVID's Omicron, symptoms took a milder turn. Sore throat, runny nose, headache and fatigue became more common than ever.

As per reports, the top COVID symptom of COVID seems to have changed yet again, with myalgia becoming the most common.

Also read: Coronavirus: What fully vaccinated need to know about COVID's Omicron BF.7

Reports from the Zoe Covid Study App suggest that myalgia is again a “top” COVID symptom. Myalgia, also known as muscle aches and pains, is said to arise from the effects of inflammatory molecules released by immune cells in response to the virus.

This very symptom was one of the most dominant symptoms in 2021, when the Omicron had emerged.

According to South African Doctor Angelique Coetzee, who had first detected the Omicron variant, myalgia tends to affect unvaccinated patients more intensely. However, vaccinated individuals can still experience the symptom as well.

Also read: High cholesterol: Beware of these warning signs in your feet

Myalgia or muscle aches and pains is tenderness felt at a local area or may associate itself with a widespread pain. It is described as a long- or short-term soreness in the muscles that occurs both at rest and with movement.

According to Zoe, COVID-related muscle pain often impacts the shoulders or legs, leaving people in distress.

“Covid-related muscle pains can range from being mild to quite debilitating, especially when they occur alongside fatigue," the study app says.

“For some people, this muscle pain stops them from doing day-to-day tasks,” the health body adds.

According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, injuries, trauma, overuse, tension, certain drugs and illnesses can all lead to myalgia.

Severe case of myalgia can be brought on by:

Chronic fatigue syndrome

Fibromyalgia

Lyme disease

Lupus

Myofascial pain syndrome

Rheumatoid arthritis

Myalgia that occurs due to COVID is said to linger on for an average of two to three days but can also take longer to go away.

Taking a COVID test is the best way to know if you're infected or not.

Apart from that, it is advised to watch out for other symptoms of COVID-19.

Some of the most common symptoms of COVID include:

- Sore, "scratchy" throat

- Fever

- Runny nose

- Headache

- Persistent cough

- Fatigue

COVID-19 continues to pose great risk to people who have pre-existing health conditions, immunocompromised people and older adults.

Having said that, wearing your masks, maintaining social distance, following proper hand hygiene and staying isolated in case of COVID-like symptoms are crucial steps to take against the SARs-CoV-2 virus.

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), getting a COVID-19 vaccine is a safer, more reliable way to build protection than getting sick with COVID-19.

While breakthrough infections are still prevalent, Experts believe getting jabbed is currently one of the best ways to prevent severe infection.

According to the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG), India's coronavirus monitoring body, seven cases of the XBB.1.5 variant of the coronavirus have been detected in India. On the other hand, four cases of Omicron subvariant BF.7 were detected in West Bengal on Wednesday.

In addition, COVID variants BQ.1.1, BQ. 1, BA.5 and also prevalent in the country.