Unexplained sneezing: Covid symptoms different for fully vaccinated

Data from the world’s largest ongoing Covid study suggests Covid symptoms may be different for those fully vaccinated, with unexplained sneezing more likely to be an indicator.

Research from the ZOE Covid symptom study app, a not-for-profit initiative led by King’s College London, suggests sneezing may be a more common sign of infection for those with both vaccine doses.

All of the approved Covid jabs have been found to be highly effective, but those who have the vaccine can still be infected.

While sneezing is not normally a symptom of Covid, more likely to be caused by the common cold or allergies, sneezing a lot with no explanation after getting the jab could be a sign of infection.

However, the ZOE Covid symptom study app says people should still be on the look out for the usual symptoms of Covid, as the link between sneezing and infection isn’t very strong.

It recommends that those who have been vaccinated and start sneezing a lot without an explanation should stay home and get a test. While they won’t be able to get one through the NHS, the Zoe symptom study will offer testing if they log any of the known symptoms in the app.

Changes in symptoms

As the virus changes, so too can the symptoms. While researchers typically saw similar symptoms of Covid being reported by the vaccinated and unvaccinated, they are now different in those fully vaccinated. The top symptoms reported are now:

1. Headache;
2. Runny nose;
3. Sneezing;
4. Sore throat;
5. Other.

A persistent cough now ranks at number 8 and is no longer the top indicator of covid in those with both vaccine doses.

In the unvaccinated, the top symptoms are:

1. Headache;
2. Sore Throat;
3. Runny Nose;
4. Fever;
5. Persistent cough.

These changes could be because those vaccinated experience less severe symptoms and more cases are being reported in younger people, who also experience less severe symptoms.