(Image source from: ichef.bbci.co.uk)

The Union Health Ministry added two new symptoms to the COVID-19 list. Loss of smell and taste are the early symptoms that help detect coronavirus positive people.

The list of COVID symptoms are familiar which includes fever, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, diarrhoea. Now the new symptoms are loss of smell and taste.

Initially when the COVID-19 was not an outbreak, only fever, breathing difficulty and cough are seen as the symptoms. During the later stage in May, gastrointestinal health issues such as diarrhoea or vomiting were included as the symptoms.

Before, COVID-19 was comprised 13 symptoms in the list. From onwards, it becomes 15 including loss of smell and taste. People who are seeing more than 2 symptoms are allowed/suggested to get checked for COVID.

The Health Ministry reminded mentioning in its document that the direct person to person transmission. A coronavirus negative person comes in very close contact with an infected person which is mainly through the droplets while coughing and sneezing.

The document states “These droplets may also land on surfaces, where the virus remains viable. Infection can also occur if a person touches an infected surface and then touches his or her eyes, nose or mouth”

In April month, the new symptoms were added to the countries US and Australia by WHO. Later on May 18, the UK also added the symptoms.

It was noticed earlier that many cases were registered with the loss of smell and taste symptoms of the disease.

By Ramya C