Coronavirus: Most common COVID symptoms recorded after vaccination

Even as the pace of vaccination increases and more and more people across the globe get immunized, there's also more that we are hearing about the cases of breakthrough infections. While the overall percentage of cases remain far lower than the unvaccinated people getting COVID-19, getting to hear about breakthrough cases, i.e., contracting COVID-19 after infection can be a little befuddling.

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While clinical evidence indicates that the overall infection risk, from severity to mortality can be tamed down effectively with vaccines, being immunized can also make people develop slightly different symptoms than unvaccinated ones. The latest study, which pinpoints breakthrough infections to be vaguely similar to that of a cold have been collected through the COVID Symptom Study, that tracks reported COVID-19 symptoms among more than 1 million people living in the United Kingdom.

Although there's no particular reason as to why this happens, or no other cause other than the Delta variant to have brought upon an increase in post-vaccination COVID cases, but experts do suggest that differentiating between infection symptoms can help a person establish risks, and recognize whether what they have is COVID, or just something else.

With a very small percentage of people getting severe disease post vaccination, developing these symptoms can indicate what you have is a breakthrough infection:

Sore throat (pharyngitis) or inflammation in the throat is a common sign of a virus having attacked you. It's also considered to be one of the primary symptoms when the SARS-COV-2 infects the body. Experiencing soreness due to a viral infection can lead to pain or a scratchy sensation in the throat. Some even experience a mild burning or itching sensation, which can get worse when swallowing food or water. Sometimes, a hoarse or muffled voice, developing white patches (only clinically seen) or swelling can intensify a sore throat.

Headache, a common form of myalgia, can also be another common symptom unvaccinated and vaccinated people can share, if they catch COVID-19. Even though the myalgia and body pain experienced with a COVID-19 infection can be quite excruciating, headache can often be one of the first warning signs of illness, and happen when there's a lot of inflammation in the upper respiratory tract. Having said that, the study has also shown that those who are partially unvaccinated can also experience a fever with this (more likely than someone who is fully vaccinated).

Experiencing a runny nose is another symptom which can feel differently with COVID, if you have been vaccinated. While it isn't a classic symptom of the infection, many experts feel that as the virus continues to mutate, runny nose or congestion can also be experienced by some people if they do test positive. It can feel much like a cold, and linger on for a while.

Sneezing is a symptom experienced by those who are fully vaccinated and yet testing positive. While experts continue to delve into what causes a change in the pattern of symptoms, bouts of sneezing can be mistaken as a sign of cold, and hence, there is a need for proper awareness about the signs and symptoms of a breakthrough infection. Some anecdotal evidence has also suggested that sneezing can be a common vaccination side-effect for those who may have had COVID-19 before.

Amongst the ones who are partially vaccinated, i.e. have a higher risk of catching the illness and poorer outcomes, persistent coughing is a sign which should not be taken lightly. Not only can COVID variants cause quicker, moderate or severe intensity symptoms, persistent coughing can be a sign of inflammation in the respiratory tract. Lingering, persistent cough can also take time to resolve, and induce discomfort.

Do note, it may be uncommon in those who are fully vaccinated, who may experience a milder intensity of symptoms than usual.