If Delta variant is just like a cold ...

[Dustyboots]

Why all the fuss?

www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jun/14/delta-variant-covid-symptoms-include-headaches-sore-throat-and-runny-nose

It might start like a cold.

It bloody doesn’t stay that way, still suffering.

Big outbreak at my work currently. Most people thought they had hay fever until they got a positive test.

@SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius - sorry to hear you went through that, and I hope you recover well Covid is a nasty illness, I really hope I don't catch it again: the breathless feeling is horrible, the exhaustion is horrible, the fever and heart palpitations are horrible. But yeah, it's just like a cold

@Reallybadidea

The answer is in the article - more transmissible and more likely to need hospital treatment.

I don’t get this - if it’s more likely to cause hospitalisation, how is it only like a bad cold? It seems contradictory to me. Not asking you in particular, @Reallybadidea. Just a bit puzzled about those two things.

the other thing that no one seems to have mentioned is that the more transmission the more mutation, the more mutation the more likelyhood of a really nasty mutation coming into being.

@MareofBeasttown

The OP knows very well it is not like a cold.

But it is for the vast majority of people.

If Delta variant is just like a cold ...

It isn't. A friend's dad is hospitalised with it currently. It's looking very likely he may die (silly bugger declined the vaccine because 'Covid is made up').

It's dangerous because people with light symptom think they are just having cold and go around spreading. And some of the people who caught it might not be so lucky. And the fact that even asymptomatic person can end up with long covid with this virus, it's nothing like common cold.

I was off sick last week at work:
Runny nose
Knackered
Pounding headache
Sore throat/ears

Took 4 lateral flow tests (get them through work) and all negative.

@JassyRadlett

PHE says it’s around 80% more likely to result in hospitalisation.

But it’s just like a bad cold

No, and you know that. The majority of symptoms are now closer to a bad cold than eg a chest infection. That doesn’t reduce the risk of serious illness in a (large, and increasing with the number of cases) minority.

Do you have a source for that? I could only find a statement from phe saying that it may increase it and a reported study that it may double the admission rate

It's not "just like a cold", FFS.

That's as stupid as saying a brain tumour is just like a headache because the initial symptoms might be the same.

Risk of Long CoVid in younger population should not be ignored either. Good 6 min discussion on in this interview starting at 22 mins in.

• on it

@SofiaMichelle

Exactly , when have colds caused multiple blood clots in organs ?

The initial symptoms of the Delta variant are like a cold - whereas with the original one, runny nose was not recognised as a symptom. They really need to update the criteria for getting a PCR test to reflect the change. However, in a minority of cases, it doesn’t stay like a cold - that’s why we have to respond,

As for why we are extending restrictions even though numbers of deaths are not rising - well, for once, we are actually thinking ahead.

Number of cases have risen 64% week on week. Number of hospitalisations and deaths have started to rise as well, although from very low levels. We are not increasing restrictions, in fact there is still some easing with weddings and wakes…. So in a few weeks’ time, numbers of cases will have doubled and doubled again… and hospitalisations and deaths will follow.

Eventually, vaccines will bring it under control. But make no mistake on 19th July, there will be more hospitalisations and deaths than there are today. That’s not me saying that - Chris Whitty said it in the conference. My assumption is he could have said “but by then we will have passed the peak and they will be coming down again.”

I had delta variant and it was awful tbh worse than anytime I've been ill before. Definitely not like a cold

@SilverGlassHare

I don’t get this - if it’s more likely to cause hospitalisation, how is it only like a bad cold? It seems contradictory to me. Not asking you in particular, @Reallybadidea. Just a bit puzzled about those two things

Because people don’t have a uniform response to covid which is dependent on lots of things including their individual immune system and medical background. When it’s highlighted that more people are experiencing cold symptoms it’s referring to those who aren’t experiencing the three main indicators we have been using to identify potential cases. Those who are likely to have a severe case will suffer from covid more regardless of which symptoms indicate a mild infection.

@ineedaholidaynow

Just say you have a cough and order a PCR test, don't think they are in short supply anymore

Being honest about symptoms is really helpful to keep track. It really doesn't help if people just lie.

There is no problem getting a test. There is no need to lie and mess up the statistics

[quote Unsure33]@JesusInTheCabbageVan

🙂 it’s frustrating isn’t it .[/quote]
Very!

[quote FinallyHere]@ineedaholidaynow

Just say you have a cough and order a PCR test, don't think they are in short supply anymore

Being honest about symptoms is really helpful to keep track. It really doesn't help if people just lie.

There is no problem getting a test. There is no need to lie and mess up the statistics [/quote]
But the 'legitimate'symptoms are no longer accurate. Plenty of evidence that a sore throat is a key indicator of the new variant.... and yet they still only list the original 3 symptoms on the website. If you have a sore throat, do whatever you need to to get a test. Speaking from personal experience.

Primary school age ds has just had it and he was quite poorly for him. Laid in bed most days. Was poorly for over a week in total. Temperature, cough, snotty, weak voice, sore eyes, dislike of the light.

@Dustyboots

The answer is in the article - more transmissible and more likely to need hospital treatment.

The article says it’s more transmissible but not that it’s more likely to need hospital treatment.

From the article: delta..appears to double the risk of hospitalisation.

Covid has certainly shown how stupid and/or selfish some humans can be

@RockingMyFiftiesNot

I absolutely agree get a test if you have any potential symptom. Just don't say yes to the first three if that is not accurate.

The next set of answers provide lots of options to ensure you still get a test if necessary.

Don't just lie. There is no need.

Why are we still getting posts like this after 15 months?