Cases of COVID-19 remain high in the UK, along with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), flu, and norovirus
Health experts have warned people to look out for five symptoms of Covid that may become noticeable while you are eating. The warning signs could signal coronavirus rather than a number of other seasonal illnesses.
The advice comes as cases of COVID-19 remain high in the UK, along with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), flu, and norovirus. This has sparked concern that combined we could face a “quademic” this winter.
In an update, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) explained: “We see cases of flu, RSV, COVID-19 and norovirus throughout the year, but in winter they circulate at the same time and can reach high levels. We also track other respiratory viruses – rhinovirus, adenovirus, human metapneumovirus (hMPV) and parainfluenza – that can also peak over the autumn and winter months.”
When it comes to getting the correct treatment for your illness, as well as preventing its spread to other people it is first important to know exactly what you are dealing with. Therefore, the UKHSA shared the telltale signs of Covid to be aware of.
It said that though the virus may not cause as “severe” an illness as it did at the start of the pandemic, it is still leading to “severe illness, hospitalisations, and deaths”. The risk of this happening is higher among those with a weakened immune system and certain long-term health conditions, as well as older people.
But, the health body said: “It is normal and expected for viruses to genetically change over time and the new COVID-19 variants, much like previous variants, can spread easily through droplets released when an infected person coughs, sneezes or speaks. The autumn COVID-19 vaccines are our best defence against serious illness.”
It acknowledged that Covid symptoms have changed over time. However, there are five signs that could appear when eating:
- Sore throat
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea
- Change in sense of taste
- Change in sense of smell.
The UKHSA also said symptoms are likely to resemble a cold but could be accompanied by fever or chills, continuous cough, shortness of breath, tiredness, body aches, headache, blocked nose, and diarrhoea.
Currently, people aged 65 and over, living in a care home for older adults, or in a clinical risk group aged over 6 months, are eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine via the NHS.
To lower your risk of catching Covid in the first place the NHS recommends washing your hands with soap and water or using hand sanitiser regularly throughout the day. “Try to avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean,” it says.
Other measures to further lower the risk of Covid, which are important if you are especially vulnerable, include:
- Open windows and doors if you meet people inside, or meet them outside instead
- Stay at least two metres away from people (particularly indoors or in crowded places)
- Work from home if you can, or talk to your employer about how they can help reduce your risk at work
- Wear a face covering when it’s hard to stay away from other people
- Think about asking people to wear a face covering or take a rapid lateral flow test if you’re meeting them inside.
The symptoms of RSV to look out for include a cough, wheezing, shortness of breath, tiredness and fever. It could also be easy to mistake flu symptoms for Covid, but the signs to look for include severe-cold symptoms with a fever or body aches.
Find out about the symptoms you need to watch out for and get health advice with our free health newsletter from the Mirror
In contrast, the main symptoms of norovirus are feeling sick (nausea), diarrhoea and being sick (vomiting). You may also have a high temperature, headache and aching arms and legs.
