Professor: "Impossible to see the difference between cold symptoms and omicrons"

Since the start of the corona pandemic, the symptoms that were noticeable in the beginning, such as loss of smell and taste, seem to have become increasingly uncommon.

This at the same time as the symptom picture seems to have become milder overall as well.

This is what Anders Sönnerborg, who is chief physician and professor of infectious diseases at Karolinska Institutet, says.

According to Sönnerborg, the reason is first and foremost that vaccination has proven effective in counteracting serious illness.

In addition, there are signs that omicron causes milder disease than previous variants, although it has not yet been proven.

- In the UK, there have been tendencies that the symptoms were milder even with delta during the autumn, so it is difficult to say whether there are distinct differences between variants or if it is mainly a result of the vaccination, says Sönnerborg.

Sampling only safe method

According to Sönnerborg, the milder symptoms mean that a coronavirus infection can easily be confused with a common cold in healthy coronavina vaccinated people.

However, influenza is easier to recognize, as the symptoms are usually more severe, he says.

- You get a higher fever, more sore throat combined with a severe cough and not least muscle pain.

It often differs from the others, although the symptoms naturally overlap.

According to Sönnerborg, sampling is the only safe method for determining which infection the person who falls ill has suffered from.

At the same time, it is important to look at the risk factors that exist, according to the chief physician.

- If someone close to you has had covid-19, of course, the risk increases that this is what you have been riding.

Especially if you have not been fully vaccinated.

But in the end it is concluded that it can be very difficult, if not impossible, to distinguish between a more common cold and a coronavirus infection.

"Must not underestimate the risks"

According to the Swedish Public Health Agency's recommendations, everyone with symptoms of a respiratory infection should stay at home and test for covid-19 to avoid the spread of infection.

According to Anders Sönnerborg, keeping the infection down is still important, even if those who fall ill generally seem to suffer from milder symptoms than before.

- One should be aware that if many people get an omicron infection, some patients will still end up in hospital with a serious illness.

Especially those who are fragile.

You must not forget it so that you underestimate the risks.