COVID-19 Symptoms Shift: New Symptom Patterns and Milder Infections

The most prevalent symptoms associated with COVID-19 have changed over time. Previously common hallmarks such as a dry cough or loss of sense of taste or smell have become less frequent.

Doctors have noticed that a typical pattern now begins with a sore throat, followed by congestion. Fatigue, muscle aches, fever, chills or cough may also occur later.

As for factors contributing to milder symptoms, some scientists suggest that immunity from vaccines and previous infections play a role. Others believe that the Omicron variant itself changed the presentation of symptoms; Omicron has proven less efficient at infecting the lungs compared to previous variants.