Monday, 19 April 2021 | PNS | New Delhi
Gastrointestinal issues, nausea, loose stool, dry mouth were uncommon during first Covid phase
As Covid-19 cases continue to spread like wildfire in India, health experts have said the second wave of the deadly virus is proving lethal to the younger people who are showing entirely different symptoms such as dry mouth, gastrointestinal issues, nausea, loose stools, red eyes and headache.
Besides, the double mutant of the coronavirus which can’t be detected by the Covid-19 RTPCR test has symptoms such as sore throat and fatigue. At the same time, a majority of symptom of the disease remain the same in the second wave. including fever, chills, body ache, loss of smell and taste, and loss of breath or respiratory complications.
Other symptoms which were not very common among Covid-19 patients in India last year, are being reported with greater frequencies. These symptoms are pink eyes, loose motions, and hearing impairment. For instance, studies have pointed out that if you have a prickly, itchy throat, or if you feel some swelling, it can be indicators of a sore throat, which is one of the most common symptoms of Covid-19 infection. “This symptom has been seen in over 52 per cent of cases globally. It is better to start taking precautions,” said Dr GS Grewal from SAS Grewal Multi-Super Speciality Hospital in Ludhiana.
Experts the UK have pointed out that a lot of Covid-19 patients are reporting weakness as one of the initial signs of infection.
Many individuals have reported signs of fatigue and weakness before being tested positive for the virus while doctors have said that many individuals who have been tested positive for Covid-19 have been experiencing severe body, joint, and muscle pain.
The main reason for muscle and body aches is myalgia, which is a result of the coronavirus attacking important muscle fibres and tissue linings in your body. In some cases, patients are reporting extreme chills and unusual cold that could be a sign of virus infection. Fever and chills are common symptoms in the case of the mutant virus.
Also, nausea and vomiting are now being looked at as signs of Covid-19 infection in its early stages while many people have reported that they have been experiencing neurological symptoms of the Covid-19 infection like dizziness, fatigue, malaise, and nausea.
One of the faculty of genetic epidemiology at King’s College London, Professor Tim Spector, took to his Twitter handle and said, “One in five people with Covid still present with less common symptoms that don’t get on the official PHE list – such as skin rashes. Seeing increasing numbers of Covid tongues and strange mouth ulcers. If you have a strange symptom or even just headache and fatigue stay at home!”
Dr Gauri Agarwal, Founder-Director, Genestrings Diagnostic Centre talked about the factors that may have led to the rise in the number of cases and said, “The primary reason for the rise in cases is a rampant violation of Covid protocols. Alsp, more youth are going out when compared to the elderly people.”
Also, a more in-depth understanding of the mutant strains and their virulence is needed by conducting genome sequencing of more samples, she added.
Experts are certain that without social distancing measures, the virus would spread quickly and infect a high proportion of the population.
