Sure Ways to Spot a Delta Infection, Say Experts

The Delta variant of COVID-19 is much more transmissible than previous iterations of the coronavirus, but that's not the only way it's different. Research suggests that Delta may cause distinctive symptoms in a certain group of people. Here's how you can spot a Delta infection, according to the experts. Read on to find out more—and to ensure your health and the health of others, don't miss these Sure Signs You May Have Already Had COVID.

Researchers at the COVID Symptom Study are tracking the initial signs of new COVID cases via an app. They say that these are now the most commonly reported early symptoms of COVID, if you've been vaccinated: 

• Headache
• Sore throat
• Runny nose
• Fever
• Persistent cough

If you've not been vaccinated, symptoms are similar to the more well-known ones associated with earlier strains of COVID-19, the scientists say.

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Research suggests that COVID symptoms may have diversified a bit since the beginning of the pandemic, when the telltale signs were fever, cough, shortness of breath and loss of taste or smell. 

"The symptoms we are seeing now are much more commonly identified with the common cold," Dr. Andrew T. Chan, an epidemiologist and one of the COVID Symptom Study's lead investigators, told The New York Times. "We are still seeing people presenting with a cough, but we are also seeing a higher prevalence of things like runny nose and sneezing." 

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According to the CDC, the common symptoms of COVID-19 include:

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

That's a long list of symptoms, and if you have, say, a headache or feel nauseated, it doesn't necessarily mean you have COVID-19.6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e

But it's better to be safe than sorry. If you're experiencing any symptoms out of the ordinary that might indicate COVID-19, it's a good idea to get tested—even if you've been fully vaccinated.

RELATED: The One Sure Sign You Already Had Delta

Follow the fundamentals and help end this pandemic, no matter where you live—get vaccinated ASAP; if you live in an area with low vaccination rates, wear an N95 face mask, don't travel, social distance, avoid large crowds, don't go indoors with people you're not sheltering with (especially in bars), practice good hand hygiene, and to protect your life and the lives of others, don't visit any of these 35 Places You're Most Likely to Catch COVID.