Coronavirus symptoms: Chills, headache, muscle ache are the newest COVID symptoms, according to a UK study

Even as our fight against the pandemic has turned on a tide, the list of novel coronavirus symptoms continues to grow. Months on, we are not only discovering newer, stranger symptoms of the virus, it is also becoming clear that a fever or a cough alone isn't a classic COVID-19 sign.

With over 108 million cases reported globally, the virus has been observed to carry different implications on its victims. From side-effects which could impair you of your basic senses to the ones which cast long-lasting damage, there's still lot that we don't know about the deadly virus.

In fact, newer studies based out of the UK, which is now the current epicentre of new coronavirus variation have found that people present different symptoms- which aren't the classic symptoms.

Here’s what we know about the non-classic COVID symptoms people should be careful about

According to a survey and analysis done by a team of researchers from Imperial College London on a million COVID-19 cases reported between June 2020-January 2021, not only is the virus mutating, but it is also presenting newer symptoms, apart from the classic signs.

Till now, the three classic signs of COVID-19 have been thought to be a low-grade fever, persisting cough and sore throat and loss of sense of smell/taste.

However, as the cases continue to spread, the way people have been experiencing symptom onset has also changed. The survey, which has been done by REACT (Real-time Assessment of Community Transmission) team at the Imperial College London, has found that newer symptoms of the virus, including chills, appetite loss, headache, muscle pain are now being more commonly reported.

Until a while back, most of the 'new' symptoms being talked of were considered to be present only in moderate or severe cases and paid less attention to as standalone signs. But as the virus continues to spread, the symptoms have also changed.

The Imperial College study, which collated data using multiple swab tests and questionnaires observed that over 60% people in the survey did not experience fever, loss of smell or sore throat initially, which is strikingly contrary to initial findings.

The analysis of the study found that the more symptoms people reported, the more were their odds of being infected.

However, strangely, chills (which are accompanied by a fever) were a little more common across all age groups- children, adults and senior citizens.

Just the same way, headache was more commonly seen in kids aged between 5-17, while appetite loss and related gastrointestinal complaints were common with older people.

While headaches and appetite loss are common complaints with viral infections, the emergence of muscle pain or myalgia has become a talking point in recent months.

From celebrities to common people, a lot of people have come forward to detail their experience with this rather unusual symptom of COVID, which is less talked about.

Muscle and joint pains, or myalgia is resultant of active viral replication in the body when it attacks important muscle linings and tissues. It is also now being considered to be a sign of post-COVID syndrome, which can take weeks or months to go away.

Muscle pain, fatigue and chronic malaise, brought on by a viral illness can be a hard symptom to deal with, especially with age. The Imperial College study also found that muscle aches were most frequently reported by adults in the study.

Spread of the newer, more infectious COVID strain which seems to have originated in Kent, UK has once again quelled fears. People who have been impacted by the new strain also report some dissimilar symptoms to the classic signs.

While studies continue to be evaluated, it has been seen that people with the new strain are more likely to report symptoms like fatigue, muscle ache and gastrointestinal infection more common.

Loss of smell and taste, which is otherwise taken to be a classic confusing sign was rarely present in patients with the new strain. Therefore, these ‘new’ signs and symptoms should not be taken lightly.

The findings of the study also mean one thing- it is not the time for any of us to be complacent, or take the pandemic lightly.

Since the symptoms reported by the new study are not classic signs of the infection, it can go ignored by a lot of people. That shouldn't be done. Remember, COVID-19 is still a relatively new virus and we continue to learn more about the virus.

Therefore, experiencing any of the non-classic signs should also demand proper isolation, testing and quarantine measures.

If you experience acute symptoms such as severe body ache, muscle pain, headaches or experience shortness of breath, consider getting urgent medical attention.