London - British scientists analysing
data from a widely-used Covid-19 symptom-tracking app have found
there are six distinct types of the disease, each distinguished
by a cluster of symptoms.
A King's College London team found that the six types also
correlated with levels of severity of infection, and with the
likelihood of a patient needing help with breathing - such as
oxygen or ventilator treatment - if they are hospitalised.
The findings could help doctors to predict which Covid-19
patients are most at risk and likely to need hospital care in
future waves of the epidemic.
"If you can predict who these people are at Day Five, you
have time to give them support and early interventions such as
monitoring blood oxygen and sugar levels, and ensuring they are
properly hydrated," said Claire Steves, a doctor who co-led the
study.
Besides cough, fever and loss of smell - often highlighted
as three key symptoms of Covid-19 - the app data showed others
including headaches, muscle pains, fatigue, diarrhoea,
confusion, loss of appetite and shortness of breath.
The outcomes also varied significantly; some got mild,
flu-like symptoms or a rash and others suffered acute symptoms
or died.
The study, released online on June 16 but not peer-reviewed
by independent scientists, described the six Covid-19 types as:
- 'Flu-like' with no fever: Headache, loss of smell, muscle
pains, cough, sore throat, chest pain, no fever.
- 'Flu-like' with fever: Headache, loss of smell, cough, sore
throat, hoarseness, fever, loss of appetite.
- Gastrointestinal: Headache, loss of smell, loss of appetite,
diarrhoea, sore throat, chest pain, no cough.
- Severe level one, fatigue: Headache, loss of smell, cough,
fever, hoarseness, chest pain, fatigue.
- Severe level two, confusion: Headache, loss of smell, loss of
appetite, cough, fever, hoarseness, sore throat, chest pain,
fatigue, confusion, muscle pain.
- Severe level three, abdominal and respiratory: Headache, loss
of smell, loss of appetite, cough, fever, hoarseness, sore
throat, chest pain, fatigue, confusion, muscle pain, shortness
of breath, diarrhoea, abdominal pain.
Patients with level 4,5 and 6 types were more likely to be
admitted to hospital and more likely to need respiratory
support, the researchers said.