Number one symptom of Covid-19 revealed - see full list of top 20

The number one symptom for Covid-19 has been revealed, along with a full list of top 20 signs of the virus.

A study of 17,500 people who said they tested positive for Covid-19 this week showed that the top symptom is a sore throat. Other common answers included a headache, blocked nose and cough.

Less common answers consisted of a high temperature, shortness of breath, and chills. At the beginning of the pandemic, loss of smell or taste along with a fever were consider the main symptoms, however these are now way down the list.

Read more: Covid-19 Ireland: Dublin doctor gives mask warning

Professor Tim Spector, the lead of the Zoe Health Study app, said: “If you have any cold-like symptoms at the moment it’s nearly twice as likely to be Covid as a cold. Even if people have had a past infection and are fully vaccinated, people are still catching it.

“Although we all want to make the most of the good weather, people will need to decide for themselves whether going to large events, working from the office or using busy public transport is worth the risk.”

The top 20 Covid symptoms include:

• Sore throat - reported by 58%

• Headache - 49%

• Blocked nose - 40%

• Cough no phlegm - 40%

• Runny nose - 40%

• Cough with phlegm - 37%

• Hoarse voice - 35%

• Sneezing - 32%

• Fatigue - 27%

• Muscle pains/aches - 25%

• Dizzy light-headed - 18%

• Swollen neck glands - 15%

• Eye soreness - 14%

• Altered smell - 13%

• Chest pain tightness - 13%

• Fever - 13%

• Chills or shivers - 12%

• Shortness of breath - 11%

• Earache - 11%

• Loss of smell - 10%

Meanwhile, cases of the BA.2.75 variant, nicknamed 'Centaurus', are reportedly rising extremely quickly. The WHO is closely following the evolution of the new variant as scientists in India have found that the new subvariants are transmitted up to five times more easily than the original virus.

Read more:

• Taoiseach can't rule out return of Covid-19 restrictions this winter

• Covid-19 Ireland: Nine symptoms fully vaccinated people need to look out for

• New Covid-19 variant: Expert warns to expect new wave every few months

• Health experts warn of another Covid wave as hospitals under pressure

• Compulsory mask wearing may return later this year as 'precautionary move'

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