NHS Missing Coronavirus Symptoms

Coronavirus experts say the NHS online symptom checking tool could be missing mild symptoms and giving people a false sense of security. The tool asks if people have a fever, cough, or shortness of breath, and if people respond they do not they are told it is unlikely they have the virus.

However, recent evidence suggests there are more possible mild symptoms of the virus, such as a sore throat, aches, fatigue, or losing the senses of smell and taste. These symptoms could be early signs of Covid-19, but the NHS platform is only asking for more serious symptoms which could lead people to believe they don’t have the virus when they may actually be carrying it.

A French equivalent asks 23 questions with a wider variety of symptoms, while the NHS tool is based on those three major symptoms. The tool also does not ask people about underlying conditions, when it should likely be telling people to call their GP if they are at high risk and exhibiting some symptoms.

Other countries like Australia, Canada, and South Korea are asking people to stay home if they report a sore throat or other symptoms, and the WHO states that aches, sore throat, diarrhoea, and nausea are common symptoms in addition to the major symptoms of dry cough, fever, and shortness of breath.