Coronavirus scientists have discovered early symptoms of the virus are different between men and women.
Researchers at the ZOE Covid Symptom app, developed by Kings College London, found that the first signs of infection changed based on gender and age.
The official main NHS symptoms of coronavirus are fever, cough and a loss of taste or smell.
However, scientists suggest that early symptoms of the virus could be completely different - and even changes between men and women.
Men were more likely to report shortness of breath, fatigue, chills and fever in early stages of testing positive for coronavirus.
Meanwhile, women were more likely to report loss of smell, chest pain and a persistent cough.
The research found that older people are less likely to lose their smell but more likely to develop diarrhoea in the early stages of illness.
Experts discovered over-80s were more likely to experience a sore throat, chest pain, unusual muscle pain, eye soreness, and chills or shivers.
Those aged 16 to 39 tend to experience loss of smell, chest pain, shortness of breath, eye soreness and abdominal pain.
The study found that fever - while one of the official symptoms of the virus - was not an early sign in any age group.
The research team examined 18 different symptoms associated with Covid-19 and the early signs included:
- Loss of smell
- Chest pain
- Persistent cough
- Abdominal pain
- Blisters on the feet
- Eye soreness
- Unusual muscle pain
Professor Tim Spector, scientific co-founder of ZOE and Professor of epidemiology at King’s College London, said: "ZOE continues to drive the public health message that there are more than just three symptoms of COVID.
"Our data shows symptoms are more mild and comparable to that of a bad cold, with a runny nose, headache and a sore throat among the top symptoms for all groups.
"It seems unlikely that the government is going to change the official list anytime soon, so we are calling on people to spread the word.
"If you or anyone in your household feels ill, do a lateral flow test and if you test positive, confirm it with a PCR test. It’s simple, if you feel ill, take a test.”
The study, which was published in Lancet Digital Health, analysed data from people with coronavirus between April to October 2020.
Some 32,000 caught Covid-19 out of the total app users, with analysts running a comb through their symptoms to draw any conclusions.
They said their study was based on the original strain of the virus before the vaccination roll-out before the Alpha and Delta variants emerged.
