Nearly four years into the pandemic, the symptoms caused by Covid-19 have markedly shifted as new variants have emerged. While fatigue, sore throat and cough remain common, differences in symptoms often depend on factors like immunity.
The latest spike is driven by subvariant JN.1. Some doctors report more patients with diarrhea or headache as initial symptoms. Loss of smell seems less prevalent with Omicron-related strains. Still, distinguishing Covid from flu is very difficult without a test.
Despite rising cases, hospitalizations and deaths are significantly lower compared to early 2023, likely because of widespread prior immunity. But epidemiologists caution that unvaccinated individuals face the highest risks for severe disease if infected for the first time now.
Scientists explain that viral mutations alter Covid’s “tropism” - which cells it infects. This affects symptoms. Loss of taste/smell has dropped from over 50% early on to just 6-7% with Omicron lineage infections. More brain fog and fatigue may present nowadays.
There are concerns around organ damage and long Covid. One doctor observes worse kidney complications with JN.1, perhaps due to variant differences or waning vaccine protection over time. Ongoing monitoring of new viral versions remains important.
Four years on, Covid continues evolving - and so do its symptoms. While the desire for normalcy is understandable, experts say dropping our guard isn’t an option as the virus persists. Continued boosters and tracking symptom changes will remain vital for managing future waves.