Top 3 Newest Symptoms of COVID to Know in 2023

Tracking the Latest Symptoms of COVID-19

As the SARS-CoV-2 virus behind COVID-19 continues evolving, so too do the signs of infection. With new emerging variants like Omicron and its sublineages, were noticing shifts in symptom patterns compared to earlier ancestral strains.

Recognizing these COVID symptom changes helps detection, allowing quicker care seeking and isolation curbing transmission chains. ByTuning into the latest data highlighting atypical indicators beyond the classic triad - fever, cough and shortness of breath - we expand awareness protecting community health.

Omicron's Mark: More Upper Respiratory

When Omicron outpaced Delta as the dominant global variant in late 2021-early 2022, patient reports began highlighting more sore throats, congestion, runny noses, and sneezing.

Whereas preceding variants triggered more lower respiratory involvement - pneumonia and breathing troubles - Omicron leans upper respiratory. Some researchers also link Omicron with more voice hoarseness, possibly due to associated throat inflammation.

This respiratory shift may partially explain Omicron's heightened transmissibility compared to earlier strains. Sneezing and runny noses release contagious viral particles easily aerosolized into surrounding air.

BA.5 Subvariant Symptoms

Omicron sublineages like BA.5 now represent over 90% of US cases as of August 2022. For many individuals, BA.5 is producing similar upper respiratory symptoms: sore throat, stuffed nose, sneezing, coughing.

But loss of smell and taste appear less common compared to ancestral COVID strains where such blunted senses were very prevalent. BA.5 illness severity also seems more moderate overall, though long COVID risks still remain following any infection.

We're still learning all the intricacies differentiating Omicron subvariants. Beyond upper respiratory patterns, some report symptoms like fever, headache, fatigue and muscle aches persist resembling earlier COVID incarnations.

Top 3 New COVID Symptoms

Analyzing recent global app-based COVID symptom tracker data reveals a fresh top 10 ranking reflecting Omicron's influence:

1. Sore throat
2. Runny nose
3. Blocked nose
4. Sneezing
5. Persistent cough
6. Hoarse voice
7. Headache
8. Fatigue
9. Muscle pains
10. Altered smell

Compared to previous COVID waves, key differences emerge: sore throat grabs the #1 spot while fever drops down the list. Sneezing and altered smell also trade positions. We'll overview the top 3 newest COVID symptoms commanding attention now.

Sore Throat

Many respiratory infections commonly lead to throat discomfort from post-nasal drip irritation. But specifically feeling pain swallowing liquids or solids relates more to viral inflammation targeting throat tissues.

Early COVID studies highlighted sore throat in roughly 10-15% of cases. Fast forward to mid-2022, research cites sore throat appearing for almost 50% of people infected with Omicron offshoots. This key symptom shift warrants awareness.

However, sore throats manifest broadly with illnesses like flu, sinusitis, strep, reflux disease and tonsillitis too. Discerning causation requires COVID testing if other upper respiratory symptoms co-appear signaling spread risk.

Runny Nose

While not historically highlighted as a stereotypical COVID symptom, data now shows runny noses encroaching the top as common Omicron complaints. Nearly half of app users with confirmed Omicron infections log runny noses.

Congestion and runny noses distantly ranked 10th and 19th respectively among original COVID symptoms circulated 2020-2021. Infrastructural differences in nasal tissues compared to lungs may facilitate Omicron's spread more easily accounting for shifts.

Of course persistant runny noses exist with regular colds and allergies also. Monitoring for accompanying viral symptoms helps differentiation. Rapid antigen testing aids confirmation when coronavirus is suspected from symptoms.

Blocked Nose

Similar to runny noses, congestion and sinus blockages now populate within the top 5 COVID symptoms reported related to Omicron dominance. Early data found only 2 in 10 infected people had blocked or stuffy noses initially.

Breathing through constricted stuffed nasal passages may exacerbate viral particle spread via the upper respiratory escape route we now associate with Omicron infection patterns.

Allergy issues can also trigger similar stuffed nose experiences sporadically. Chronically congested individuals shouldn't overlook new onset consistency or worsening while COVID activity circulates regionally. Testing helps decipher root causes.

Interpreting Symptom Patterns

Isolated symptoms rarely reflect concerning underlying illness on their own. Doctors weigh constellations of multiple symptoms appearing in clusters to evaluate diagnostic possibilities. We discuss key considerations physicians make assessing respiratory complaints in context.

Other Associated Symptoms

Sore throats, coughs and congestion often surface with harmless seasonal allergies and common colds too. Assessing accompanying signs appearing soon after provides insight on viral or non-infectious causes.

Fevers, chills/sweats, headaches, profound fatigue and muscle pain align more with infectious disease processes like COVID, flu and strep pharyngitis for example. Timeline order also aids diagnosis when correlating related symptoms manifesting together.

Personal Risk Factors

Interpreting symptoms gets tailored to individuals based on personal context like ages, medical histories, potential exposures and regional infection trends.

Younger healthy people face lower risks for severe respiratory disease generally. But those older, unvaccinated or having chronic medical problems warrant extra precaution when new symptoms emerge if COVID spreads locally.

Healthcare workers similarly assume higher probability gauging symptoms in themselves as occupational pathogen exposures occur. Weighing personal risk factors allows appropriate clinical concern scaling.

Duration Considerations

While sore throats, congestion and sneezing often resolve within days to weeks with oral colds or allergy flares, lingering longer term issues signal complicating factors.

Specifically, symptoms lasting over 2 weeks or worsening deserve reevaluation for secondary infections like sinusitis or pneumonia. Chronic upper airway symptoms may indicate post COVID inflammatory damage as well especially if quality of living impacts emerge.

Logging daily symptom patterns helps identify worsening trends. Monitoring duration guides appropriate care seeking timing if home treatments and rest prove ineffective.

At Home Management Tips

Pre-COVID, most people endured common cold and flu symptoms without formal medical care. Similar self management at home applies for mild suspected COVID as well, with added transmission precautions.

Protocols like quarantining, masking when needing to access shared spaces in households and sanitizing remain vitally important responding to any respiratory virus threat currently. We outline helpful symptom relief measures here too.

Supportive Self Care Basics

Following public health guidelines regarding isolation/quarantine remains imperative if you have symptoms suspicious for COVID, regardless of testing availability delays.

This means avoiding work, school, public areas, and close contact with housemates not exposed already. Wear well-fitted masks exiting your room if absolutely necessary until fully recovered. Frequent hand washing also helps.

Beyond COVID-specific measures, standard upper respiratory care techniques bring relief at home. Rest prioritizes healing above all. Staying hydrated and eating nutritiously keeps immune defenses strong also.

Over-the-Counter Symptom Remedies

OTC medications help ease COVID symptoms much like cold and flu aftereffects. For sore throats, throat lozenges or sprays bring topical numbing and lubrication comfort. Ibuprofen or acetaminophen reduces throat swelling inflammation too.

Saline nasal sprays, antihistamines, decongestants and nasal steroids alleviate sinus pressure, runny noses and congestion secondary to post-viral inflammation processes. Avoid suppressing coughs using medications unless doctors advise otherwise.

Always follow dosing directions carefully using OTC symptom aids. Reach out to your physician regarding appropriateness if having medical conditions or using prescription drugs with potential interactions.

Homeopathy and Lifestyle Modifications

Certain lifestyle measures and homeopathic remedies might supplement conventional medicine practices also. Things like honey, saltwater gargling, humidifiers, eucalyptus, vitamin C and zinc offer anecdotally noted relief benefits historically.

Steam showers help decongest stuffed sinuses while staying upright with extra pillows can minimize nighttime post-nasal drip aggravating sore throats. Avoiding irritating dry environments aids healing too.

That said, no alternative supplementation or therapy replaces COVID vaccination progress and antiviral therapeutics if high risk health conditions exist. Work closely with your healthcare team managing escalating upper respiratory complaints.

The Bottom Line

As SARS-CoV-2 continues evolving, we must vigilantly track associated symptom patterns too. Compared to previous strains, Omicron and its latest offshoots manifest more as an upper respiratory illness prominently featuring:

• Sore throat
• Runny nose
• Nasal congestion
• Sneezing

Catching emerging COVID symptom trends early and adjusting public health messaging helps communities stay informed. Clinical awareness optimizes care access and disease control measures in the face of shape-shifting viruses.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.