NEW YORK: A perplexing transformation in COVID-19 symptoms is leaving medical experts and doctors puzzled, as the illness increasingly mimics allergies or the common cold, making diagnosis a challenging endeavor. Symptoms traditionally associated with the virus, such as a dry cough and loss of taste or smell, are now becoming less common, with milder manifestations primarily targeting the upper respiratory tract.
Dr. Erick Eiting, Vice Chair of Operations for Emergency Medicine at Mount Sinai Downtown in New York City, remarked on the shifting symptom landscape, stating, “It isn’t the same typical symptoms that we were seeing before. It’s a lot of congestion, sometimes sneezing, usually a mild sore throat.” According to Dr. Eiting, the sore throat often precedes congestion in these cases.
The Zoe COVID Symptom Study, which collects self-reported symptom data in the UK, has also observed these changes. It found that sore throats have become more prevalent since the emergence of the dominant omicron variant in late 2021, while the loss of smell has become less widespread.
In a noteworthy shift, hospital admissions have seen a decline compared to the summer and fall of 2021. Doctors are now reporting a more distinct and consistent pattern of symptoms in COVID-19 cases.
Dr. Grace McComsey, Vice Dean for Clinical and Translational Research at Case Western University, noted that these days, COVID-19 symptoms often commence with a sore throat, describing it as a burning sensation that some patients have never experienced before, even with past strep throat infections. As congestion sets in, the sore throat appears to improve.
Prominent Symptoms of COVID-19
While coughing is not as prominent a symptom as it once was, some patients also report headaches, fatigue, muscle pains, fever, chills, or post-nasal drip alongside congestion, as outlined by experts.
Fatigue and muscle aches typically endure for a few days, whereas congestion can linger for several weeks. It is estimated that only 10-20% of COVID-19 patients experience a loss of taste or smell.
Notably, diarrhea, which was more common in the past, is now less frequently reported by patients, according to Dr. Eiting.
Fortunately, the majority of patients experience milder forms of the illness and recover without requiring antiviral treatments like Paxlovid or hospitalization.
Dr. Michael Daignault, an emergency physician at Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center in Burbank, California, stated that since July, nearly all younger individuals presenting with upper respiratory symptoms, such as cough, runny nose, sore throat, fever, and chills, have been able to recover at home with supportive care.
Several factors may be contributing to the apparent milder nature of COVID-19 symptoms. Dr. Dan Barouch, Director of the Center for Virology and Vaccine Research at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, attributes it to increased immunity stemming from vaccinations and previous infections, resulting in heightened immune responses.
It is also suggested that the omicron variant may have played a role in altering the presentation of COVID-19 symptoms. Early versions of omicron were less effective at infecting the lungs. Currently, subvariants like EG.5 and FL.1.5.1 are prevalent, while the BA.2.86 variant, marked by numerous mutations, is also contributing to a rise in COVID-19 cases.
Despite the increasing prevalence of BA.2.86 cases in the US, it has not emerged as a dominant variant. Dr. Barouch remains optimistic, stating that the new booster shots should remain effective against these strains and others, providing a ray of hope in the ongoing battle against the virus.
