Since the start of the pandemic, the symptoms linked to Covid-19 contamination have sometimes changed. The appearance of new variants is associated with pathologies that have not been described until now by patients affected by an infection. La Dépêche du Midi takes stock with a doctor.
From the irritated throat to the headaches, passing by the runny nose… At the time of the epidemiological recovery in France, which coincides with “the season of allergies”, everything or almost everything raises fears of an infection with Covid- 19. So much so that it is now becoming difficult to differentiate the symptoms that are linked to SARS-CoV-2 from conditions linked to other seasonal viruses.
All the more difficult also since in three years of pandemic, the symptoms caused by contamination with Covid-19 have changed profoundly, even if today, half of the infected people develop asymptomatic forms of the disease. The Midi Dispatch make the point.
Why have the symptoms linked to Covid-19 evolved?
With the appearance of new variants in recent months, the impact of Covid-19 on organisms has changed profoundly. “Today, we have a BA.2 variant, the majority in France which represents 73% of the cases of contamination which are detected, describes Doctor Jérôme Marty, general practitioner in Fronton (Haute-Garonnne) and president of the independent union of doctors. UFML. The Omicron variant and its BA.2 sub-variant will “nest” in the upper airways whereas previously the virus would affect the bronchi”.
The symptoms observed today by doctors are therefore different: “Omicron and BA.2 have a much greater impact on what is called the “ORL” sphere which includes the face, the ear (internal and externa), nose, sinuses, mouth and tongue, throat (larynx, trachea, etc.), salivary glands, thyroid gland and neck,” summarizes Dr. Marty.
What symptoms are observed today?
“What comes up most frequently are the sore throat, the headache and an common fatigue“, remarks the general practitioner of Fronton. These are frequently accompanied by a dry cough, “laryngeal more than bronchial” with difficulty in swallowing. At first glance, these symptoms resemble angina. However, in the case of contamination with Covid-19, no sign of swelling of the tonsils is visible, “this is the main difference”, specifies doctor Jérôme Marty.
“shortness of breaththe loss of smell and you taste” are not always mentioned, but they “always exist”, notes the doctor. A sign that these symptoms are less frequent than before.
Symptoms that last less?
This is one of the great particularities of the new Omicron and BA.2 variants: the symptomatic period seems shorter than what might be observed with the Alpha and Delta variants. “At the time, it was said that the so-called dangerous period in the symptoms was between the 7th and the 9th day. Today, the symptoms generally last only five days”, describes Jérôme Marty.
More frequent long Covids?
The so-called long Covid phenomenon has increased in recent months. People who feel symptoms beyond 4 weeks following infection are more and more numerous: “Between 10 and 30% of infected adults develop a Covid long, says the general practitioner of Fronton. Those affected develop symptoms that they will keep for months”, ranging from fatigueto muscle achespassing through joint problemsfrom headacheand dizziness.
In the context of long Covid, “many patients also describe a “brain fog“, says the doctor. They have the impression from time to time of finding themselves “on a break” and not being able to think. Of being absent for a few moments and not being able to concentrate”.
What symptom should warn of a risk of a serious form?
The Covid-19 is in this particular that it can cause desaturation of oxygen in the blood and what is called a “happy hypoxia“: “This happens when a patient does not realize that the oxygenation rate of his blood is decreasing, sometimes in the space of only a few minutes”, describes Jérôme Marty. According to the doctor, this is a sign which can warn of the risk of a serious form of the disease.
This recommends the purchase of a saturometer, a clamp placed at the end of the finger and which makes it possible to measure the level of oxygen present in the blood.
