Common Symptom of Concern-sore Throat usually not caused by new Coronavirus, says Research

Common Symptom of Concern-sore Throat usually not caused by nCOVID, says Research

According to international media BGR report, a new COVID-19 study found that loss of smell and taste is a possible symptom of new coronavirus infection, but also found that sore throat is not necessarily evidence related to the disease. Researchers at the University of California, San Diego found that patients whose symptoms include a sore throat are more likely to be negative for COVID-19. In different countries, sensory disorders are related to COVID-19, and doctors have observed this symptom in many patients. By observing the olfactory tissue, the researchers determined that the SARS-CoV-2 virus can quickly attach itself to specific cells as if it were combined with lung cells.

Researchers from the University of California San Diego School of Health also determined that patients recovering from COVID-19 can recover their sense of smell and taste within two to four weeks after infection. But they also made another finding, that is, one of the symptoms that may be related to COVID-19. Sore throat does not always point to COVID-19 infection.

Most common symptoms are Fever, cough, shortness of breath, and fatigue

Fever, cough, shortness of breath, and fatigue are the most common symptoms of COVID-19, and the symptoms of loss of smell and taste are not listed here. But a sore throat sounds like a symptom caused by respiratory viruses, and some patients with COVID-19 have indeed experienced this symptom. 

That being said, researchers at the University of California, San Diego found that most of the COVID-19-positive patients they investigated did not show symptoms of sore throat.

    Olfactory and taste disorders are independently and strongly related to COVID-19-positive, while sore throat is related to COVID-19 negative.

Sore throat is associated with Covid-19 negative (60%, compared with 32% in Covid-19 positive patients)

The researchers found that COVID-19-negative patients reported sore throats four to five times more than COVID-19-positive patients. This is particularly relevant because this season people in many parts of the United States begin to develop hay fever; sore throats and congestion are unlikely symptoms of new coronavirus infections.

This study analyzed 1480 patients with suspected flu-like symptoms or suspected infection with COVID-19. Among these people, only 102 people tested positive. The study then included responses from 59 COVID-19 patients and 203 people with other diseases. 

The number of respondents seems limited, but most COVID-19 studies include a limited sample size at this point. 

Unlike other studies that have not been peer-reviewed, the University of California, San Diego has been fully peer-reviewed and awaits final publication at the International Allergy and Rhinology Forum.

Most of the COVID-19 patients in the study were patients with milder disease and did not require oxygen therapy or intubation and ventilation. Most patients do not need to be hospitalized. The researchers concluded that medical professionals should include questions about loss of smell and taste in their COVID-19 screening. This unusual symptom can help them find and isolate patients before the test results come out. 

Global virus screening measure

"We hope that with these findings, other organizations can follow suit and not only list olfactory and taste loss as a symptom of COVID-19, but also use it as a global virus screening measure," Otolaryngologist at the University of California, San Diego and head and neck surgeon Carol Yan told the University of California, San Diego News Center.

Author's Bio

Name: Ian Skyler

Education: MBBS, MD

Occupation: Medical Doctor 

Specialization: Community Medicine, General Surgery, Natural Treatment

Experience: 18 Years as a Medical Practitioner

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