The COVID-19 crisis shows no signs of abating and the world is certainly in dire straits. Scientists across the globe are scrambling in order to understand the deadly coronavirus better. In an attempt to do so, research has recently defined six types of COVID-19. To date, scientists still aren’t sure why the virus leads to mild symptoms in some and severe symptoms in some patients. A research done by scientists at King’s College London tries to answer similar questions and understand the coronavirus better.
For the purpose of the study, 1600 people volunteered across both the U.S. and UK. These volunteers were the ones who had already recovered successfully from COVID-19 infections in the months of March and April. After studying the symptoms of the volunteers, the research showed that three clusters of patients have mild symptoms and three clusters have severe symptoms.
Six Clusters of COVID-19 Symptoms
The following are the clusters of COVID-19 symptoms:
1. Cluster I: Less Severe Flu-Like Symptoms:
People in this category tend to experience mild flu-like symptoms without a fever. Symptoms such as cold, sore throat, upper respiratory tract congestion, loss of sense of smell, headache, etc. are also commonly experienced.
2. Cluster II: Less Severe Flu-Like Symptoms with Fever:
People in this category have the same symptoms as seen in cluster I. The only difference is the appearance of fever as a symptom. Also, if you fall under this category, you might also experience sore throat and dry cough.
3. Cluster III: Less Severe with Gastrointestinal Infections:
People who fall under this category suffer from fatigue, loss of sense of smell, digestive problems, loss of appetite, diarrhea, vomiting, etc.
4. Cluster IV: Severe Level I with Symptoms of Fatigue:
People falling under this category suffer from a loss of energy and exhaustion. The immunity of the patient also plummets down. Other symptoms include fatigue, chest pain, fever, sore throat, and loss of sense of smell and taste.
5. Cluster V: Severe Level II with Confusion:
Patients falling under this category experience symptoms such as loss of appetite, loss of sense of smell, cough, sore throat, muscle pain, fatigue, and confusion. Confusion is the major differentiating symptom in this condition.
6. Cluster VI: Severe Level III with Abdominal and Respiratory Distress:
Patients falling under this category experience symptoms such as sore throat, chronic fever, loss of sense of smell, loss of appetite, diarrhea, breathlessness, and muscle pain.
Researchers further explained that people falling in severe clusters require mechanical ventilation in later stages of COVID-19. Therefore, the symptoms experienced by patients during the first five days of the onset of COVID-19 can determine the outcome in them.