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
BREAKING Former Air Canada employees among suspects identified in gold heist at Pearson airport: police
Police say one former and one current employee of Air Canada are among the nine suspects that are facing charges in connection with the gold heist at Pearson International Airport last year.
Disappointment widespread over budget's proposed $200-month disability benefit funding
Advocacy groups across Canada are expressing widespread disappointment about the amount of funding earmarked in the 2024 federal budget for the long-awaited Canada Disability Benefit.
BREAKING Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter banned from NBA
Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter has been handed a lifetime ban from The National Basketball Association (NBA) following an investigation which found he disclosed confidential information to sports bettors, the league says.
Earthquake jolts southern Japan
An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.4 hit southern Japan late on Wednesday, said the Japan Meteorological Agency, without issuing a tsunami warning.
ArriveCan contractor to be admonished by MPs in extraordinarily rare parliamentary display
Enacting an extraordinarily rarely used parliamentary power, MPs have summoned an ArriveCan contractor to appear before the House of Commons on Wednesday afternoon to be admonished publicly for failing to answer their questions.
opinion Don Martin: Gusher of Liberal spending won't put out the fire in this dumpster
A Hail Mary rehash of the greatest hits from the Trudeau government’s three-week travelling pony-show, the 2024 federal budget takes aim at reversing the party’s popularity plunge in the under-40 set, writes political columnist Don Martin. But will it work before the next election?
Gas prices across Ontario expected to climb to levels not seen since 2022, analyst says
Ontario is going to see a big jump at the pumps later this week as gas prices in the province hit levels not seen in nearly two years, according to one industry analyst.
Ancient skeletons unearthed in France reveal Mafia-style killings
More than 5,500 years ago, two women were tied up and probably buried alive in a ritual sacrifice, using a form of torture associated today with the Italian Mafia, according to an analysis of skeletons discovered at an archeological site in southwest France.
Paul McCartney and John Lennon’s sons have released a single together
A new Lennon and McCartney collaboration is the last thing anybody expected.