SCIENTISTS have recorded a breakthrough that could help doctors predict which patients of COVID-19 are at most risk.
According to the scientists led by researchers from King’s College, London, there are six distinct types of COVID-19.
They disclosed that their findings were based on the specific symptoms of the disease, each with a specific collection of symptoms – in a breakthrough that could help doctors predict which patients are at greater risk.
The different forms of the disease were believed to determine its severity among those infected and whether they are likely to need respiratory support in hospital.
They presented the six distinct “types” of COVID-19 to be:
1. ‘Flu-like’ with no fever: Headache, loss of smell, muscle pains, cough, sore throat, chest pain, no fever.
2. ‘Flu-like’ with fever: Headache, loss of smell, cough, sore throat, hoarseness, fever, loss of appetite.
3. Gastrointestinal: Headache, loss of smell, loss of appetite, diarrhoea, sore throat, chest pain, no cough.
4. Severe level one, fatigue: Headache, loss of smell, cough, fever, hoarseness, chest pain, fatigue.
5. Severe level two, confusion: Headache, loss of smell, loss of appetite, cough, fever, hoarseness, sore throat, chest pain, fatigue, confusion, muscle pain.
6. Severe level three, abdominal and respiratory: Headache, loss of smell, loss of appetite, cough, fever, hoarseness, sore throat, chest pain, fatigue, confusion, muscle pain, shortness of breath, diarrhoea, abdominal pain.
According to Dr. Claire Steves of King’s College, the findings have would have a lot implications on how COVID-19 issues are handled.
“These findings have important implications for care and monitoring of people who are most vulnerable to severe COVID-19.
“If you can predict who these people are at day five, you have time to give them support and early interventions such as monitoring blood oxygen and sugar levels, and ensuring they are properly hydrated – simple care that could be given at home, preventing hospitalisations and saving lives,” he said.
Also, Sebastien Ourselin, professor of healthcare engineering at King’s College, London and senior author of the study, said the research was having “a profound impact on our understanding of the extent and impact of COVID-19”.
Additional reports by Sky news
