NHS adds nine new Covid-19 symptoms to official list

NINE signs of illness have now been added to the

NHS’ list of official Covid-19 symptoms.

The NHS updated its list of coronavirus symptoms in adults on April 1.

On the same day, England switched to its “living with Covid” strategy and ended free coronavirus testing for all.

Previously, the NHS said there were three main symptoms of Covid; a fever, a new and persistent cough, and a loss of change in taste or smell.

Now, the health service recognises nine more symptoms, including feeling tired, headaches, a sore throat and feeling nauseous.

The NHS site adds: “The symptoms are very similar to symptoms of other illnesses, such as colds and flu.”

The update came as Covid-19 infection levels hit a record high in the UK on Friday, the first day of England’s “living with Covid” plan.

The World Health Organisation the USA’S Centres for Disease Control and Prevention has had a longer symptom list than the NHS for some time.

But the UK’S NHS list of Covid symptoms stayed the same, with just three symtoms, for almost two years.

The Government’s chief medical officer will have signed off the updated list complete with the nine new symptoms, Press Association reports.

As well as a fever, a new and persistent cough, and a loss of change in taste or smell, the NHS has added 9 new symptoms which are signs of coronavirus.

The 12 symptoms are:

a high temperature or shivering (chills) – a high temperature means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)

a new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours

a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste shortness of breath; feeling tired or exhausted; an aching body; a headache; a sore throat; a blocked or runny nose; loss of appetite; diarrhoea; feeling sick or being sick