Given that the number of people testing positive for Covid-19 has jumped up dramatically in recent weeks, it's understandable that we're all on high alert again (hello face mask, old friend). Figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) are estimating that a total of 2.3 million people in private households have contracted the virus over the past week (a leap of 32% from the previous week).
But, given that the virus has mutated once more – and now the dominant strains are Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 – it's no surprise that the most commonly cited symptoms have changed too.
In the early days of the pandemic, we were all told to keep an eye out for a fever, a dry cough, along with a loss of taste or smell, but according to new research from the ZOE app (which asks users to record their coronavirus symptoms) a headache is now the most-reported telltale sign.
More than two-thirds of patients who used the app to record symptoms, which were later analysed by researchers at King's College London, said they'd experienced a headache. Others cited a sore throat, fatigue and runny nose as ailments too.
Professor Tim Spector, who heads up Zoe Health Study app, cautioned that having previously contracted the virus unfortunately may not offer all that much by way of immunity.
Spector said whilst speaking to The Guardian: "There are definitely a lot of people who got Covid at the start of the year who are getting it again, including some with BA.4 or 5 who had BA.1 or 2 just four months ago, who thought they would be protected."
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However, this isn't to say that a cough, fever or a loss of smell or taste are no longer indicators that somebody has contracted Covid-19 - symptoms can still vary from person to person and there are multiple variants in circulation (sob), so if you're feeling unwell it's always best to take a test (and isolate should it come back positive).
Stay safe out there, folks!
Jennifer Savin is Cosmopolitan UK's multiple award-winning Features Editor, who was crowned Digital Journalist of the Year for her work tackling the issues most important to young women. She regularly covers breaking news, cultural trends, health, the royals and more, using her esteemed connections to access the best experts along the way. She's grilled everyone from high-profile politicians to A-list celebrities, and has sensitively interviewed hundreds of people about their real life stories. In addition to this, Jennifer is widely known for her own undercover investigations and campaign work, which includes successfully petitioning the government for change around topics like abortion rights and image-based sexual abuse. Jennifer is also a published author, documentary consultant (helping to create BBC’s Deepfake Porn: Could You Be Next?) and a patron for Y.E.S. (a youth services charity). Alongside Cosmopolitan, Jennifer has written for The Times, Women’s Health, ELLE and numerous other publications, appeared on podcasts, and spoken on (and hosted) panels for the Women of the World Festival, the University of Manchester and more. In her spare time, Jennifer is a big fan of lipstick, leopard print and over-ordering at dinner. Follow Jennifer on Instagram, X or LinkedIn.
