COVID-19 symptoms: B.C. physician explains how disease might now appear more like the common cold
A new study out of the U.K. says COVID-19 symptoms may be changing and appearing milder, but one B.C. doctor says that shift isn't necessarily a good thing.
CTV Morning Live spoke with family physician Rhonda Low on Tuesday about this change in symptoms.
"This is something that folks really need to be aware of because they may have COVID, be infectious and not know it," Low said.
"Remember we've been taught to recognize that COVID symptoms are fever, dry cough, shortness of breath and loss of sense of smell or taste."
However, findings from the new U.K. study suggest the top reported symptoms since May are a runny nose, sore throat, headache and fever.
"Cough is much less common as is loss of sense of smell or taste," Low said. "These cold-like symptoms seem to be appearing more and more in those folks under the age of 40 and, interestingly, in those who have been vaccinated."
Experts have previously explained this could potentially be evolution of the virus, but it may also have something to do with who is getting infected as younger people tend to experience milder symptoms of the disease.
"Younger folks and especially the partially vaccinated people could have these milder, bad cold-like symptoms," Low said.
"While those traditional symptoms still exist, new data says as more people get their shots, anyone who starts sneezing frequently – even if you're fully vaccinated – should consider getting tested."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.