Why do I have enough Covid-19 symptoms but the test is still negative?

Although we all want to forget about Covid-19, the virus that causes this disease continues to exist. But SARS-CoV-2 is not the only virus. That is one of the reasons why many people are sick but test results for SARS-CoV-2 are not positive.

In recent weeks, many people in the UK said they had Covid-19-like symptoms but tested negative.

Artwork: Newscientist

In fact, most likely, those people did not have Covid-19. Forgotten in the midst of a pandemic, most other disease-causing viruses survive. So you may feel sick, not from Covid-19, but from seasonal flu or another illness.

The flu is also a viral illness that attacks the respiratory system such as the nose, throat, and lungs.

Dr. Philip Lee explains: “For 2 years, we wear masks everywhere, wash our hands. These things prevent all respiratory diseases. It is not surprising that there is an increase. flu increase immediately after stopping the above activities”.

Usually, flu outbreaks occur during a cold period, from December to March, when the air is dry and people spend a lot of time indoors.

Other viruses including respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) also cause mild, cold-like symptoms – a common manifestation of the Omicron variant.

“For most people, RSV is the common cold, but still very contagious and a leading cause of bronchiolitis in infants,” said epidemiologist Conall Watson.

Most flu and RSV infections go away on their own. However, young children and people with previous respiratory problems may need to be hospitalized.

Difference between SARS-CoV-2 virus and others

Covid-19 and the flu share some of the same symptoms. According to the UK’s National Health Service, the three classic symptoms of Covid-19 are a persistent cough, high fever, and changes in taste/smell.

However, currently, the Covid-19 disease caused by the Omicron variant has symptoms that are more easily confused with colds and flu such as itchy throat, cough, sneezing, runny nose, stuffy nose, muscle aches, chills, fatigue. fatigue, headache.

The main difference is the onset of the virus. The flu tends to come on quite suddenly — or within one to two days of exposure to the virus. For Covid-19, symptoms usually appear 2 to 14 days after exposure.

If you have symptoms of Covid-19 or some other viral infection, it’s important to wash your hands and stay away from people with low immunity.

An Yen (According to Mirror)