Researchers say they have identified a new symptom experienced by a number of Covid-19 sufferers which could be an early indicator that you have contracted the virus.
The team at the University of Barcelona says people could self-isolate earlier if they were told to look out for the condition.
In a new study, they found many patients reported a strange feeling in the nose ahead of other Covid-19 symptoms, reports The Mirror.
In the study, published in medRxiv, the researchers, led by Jordi Navarra, wrote: “The presence of these nasal symptoms, and their early occurrence, could potentially facilitate early diagnosis of COVID-19 and initial social distancing efforts.”
Researchers surveyed 35 Covid-19 patients about their symptoms and found more than 68% reported at least one nasal symptom, including excessive dryness, and a continual sensation of having ‘washed inside their nose’
The researchers said: “The clinical group also experienced ‘a strange sensation in the nose’ and having excessive nasal dryness significantly more often than the control group.
“Fifty-two percent of the patients (but only 3% of the control group) reported a constant sensation of having had a strong nasal douche.”
The nasal symptoms tended to occur alongside the more common symptoms of loss of sense of smell and taste, and lasted for 12 days on average.
The UK government lists three main symptoms for coronavirus – a high temperature, a new, continuous cough, and a loss or change to your sensation of smell or taste.
The UK government website advises: “The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are recent onset of a new continuous cough or a high temperature or a loss of, or change in, normal sense of taste or smell (anosmia).
“If you develop these symptoms, however mild, or you have received a positive coronavirus (COVID-19) test result, then you should immediately self-isolate stay at home for at least 10 days from when your symptoms started. If you live with others, all other household members who remain well must stay at home and not leave the house for 14 days.”
