Some doctors report that COVID-19 patients infected with the Delta variant have different symptoms from other coronavirus patients, although most of the evidence is anecdotal.

These patients are more likely to have nasal congestion, sore throat, and headache during the initial stages of infection, rather than loss of taste and smell (usually one of the first symptoms of COVID-19).

The Delta variant originated in India, but is now the main variant In the U.S It accounts for more than 51% of all COVID-19 cases in the U.S.

Although it has not yet dominated the Philadelphia area, public health officials in New Jersey Just reported It is the main variant there.41% of the new mutation cases in the state in June were caused by the Delta mutation.

Health expert Fears that this mutation will severely hit the unvaccinated, leading to a surge in cases and hospitalizations. Patients with this variant are more likely to develop complications and require oxygen inhalation.

Since these symptoms are not specific to COVID-19, doctors say that people are more likely to perceive them as allergies or mild colds. symptom Delta variants include stomach pain, sore throat, headache, nasal congestion, loss of appetite, vomiting, nausea, joint pain, and hearing loss.

At the beginning of the pandemic, the most common symptoms that indicated COVID-19 infection were fever, cough, shortness of breath, and loss of taste and smell.Now, according to the researchers King’s College LondonThe most common COVID-19 symptoms reported were headache, sore throat, runny nose, fever and persistent cough.

This Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Said that the best way to protect yourself from Delta mutation is to vaccinate.All three vaccines currently available-Moderna, Johnson & Johnson and Pfizer —— Provide protection. Early research It has been shown that people who are fully vaccinated have a very low risk of getting sick due to the Delta variant.

If you experience any possible symptoms of COVID-19, get tested as soon as possible, even if you just think it’s just a cold. If you are vaccinated, please discuss with your primary care doctor whether you need to be tested.