Florida: Disease expert warns of 'unbelievable' coronavirus numbers
As restrictions no longer apply to the British public, how can you know when it's time to test for coronavirus? After all, all that mixing is likely to lead to numerous infections. According to the Covid Symptom Study – led by Professor Tim Spector – the loss of smell is still the "clearest" sign of COVID-19. Medically referred to as anosmia, the loss of smell has been a telling sign of infection from the beginning of the pandemic.
For those who have been double vaccinated, the top five most common signs of Covid include:
- Runny nose
- Sore throat
- Loss of smell.
"It can be difficult to notice changes to your sense of smell as you go about your daily activities," the researchers at the Covid Symptom Study said.
It's for this reason that four "distinctive" ingredients can test your sense of smell.
Commonly found in the home – or easily bought in the supermarket – you can test your sense of smell by sniffing:
Covid could cause a loss of smell
If you can't smell one of these four household items, it's best to be tested for Covid.
This can begin with the rapid flow tests, which are available to order to your home.
If the rapid flow test shows a positive test result, you are then required to self-isolate and order a PCR test.
Other symptoms that warrant a rapid flow test include:
- New, persistent cough.
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The Covid Symptom Study demonstrated that anosmia "is the best predictor of having COVID-19".
However, "you can still be infected even if your sense of smell is perfectly normal".
Another "strong predictor" of COVID-19 was "ageusia" – also known as loss of taste.
The research – conducted by King's College London – found that somebody experiencing anosmia or ageusia were "17 times more likely to test positive for COVID" than someone who didn't.
"What’s more, loss of smell or taste remained the best predictor of a positive test result regardless of a person’s age, sex, or illness severity," the researchers added.
The NHS recognise that a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste is one of the "main symptoms of coronavirus".
This is accompanied by a new continuous cough, and a high temperature.
COVID-19 is still a deadly disease, which needs to be taken seriously.
The number of patients admitted to hospital because of Covid is nearing 6,000 people in the past week.
Meanwhile, 687 people have lost their lives to the deadly disease in the seven days to August 22.
While vaccination has most definitely slowed down the number of hospital admission and deaths, cases are still rising.
It's helpful to get into the habit of doing twice weekly rapid flow tests, even if you don't have any symptoms.