The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has added 6 new possible symptoms of COVID-19 to its list, as health experts discover more about the virus.
Initially, the CDC only listed three symptoms for the coronavirus which were fever, cough and shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.
But it has now updated its list to include chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat and new loss of taste or smell as possible symptoms.
The symptoms may appear within 2-14 days after exposure to the virus, according to the CDC.
The CDC made the changes following recommendations from the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists, which is responsible for determining which infectious diseases are tracked and reported to the agency.
The council says people with a cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing should be reported as a likely case, but only if there is no other more plausible diagnosis.
People with two or more of the following symptoms, fever, chills, shivers, muscle pain, headache, sore throat or new loss of taste and smell also meet the same criteria and should be reported as a likely case. Anyone with a positive lab test should also be reported as a case.
The new CDC criteria differs slightly from The World Health Organization (WHO) which lists fever, dry cough, and tiredness as the primary symptoms of COVID-19.
"Some patients may have aches and pains, nasal congestion, sore throat or diarrhea. These symptoms are usually mild and begin gradually," The WHO says on its website.
A New Zealand scientist is currently researching how COVID-19 affects the senses, specifically whether it is linked to a sudden loss of smell and taste.
Last month, sensory scientist Dr Mei Peng joined a consortium of scientists trying to develop self-screening assessments to help people detect early signs of COVID-19. Dr Peng's research is looking into the overlap between human senses, brain function and health.
"This epidemic is affecting us all, and it's crucial that we all help in any way we can," Dr Peng told Newshub last month.
Other possible symptoms that have been reported include purple or blue lesions on the feet of otherwise asymptomatic patients.
The lesions were first discovered by Italian doctors in March and more research is being carried out by the United States.
