Doctors are reporting that the symptoms of the Delta variant are different from the previous COVID-19 symptoms. Recognizing symptoms of the Delta variant is important for getting timely medical care and for preventing further spread of the virus.

Symptoms Among Children

Among children, the more severe cases tend to be among unvaccinated adolescents, especially those with underlying conditions like diabetes or obesity.  Fever, cough, fatigue, headache and sore throat are the “classic presentation of Covid” among symptomatic children, according to Dr. Sallie Permar, pediatrician-in-chief at New York-Presbyterian.

Symptoms of Unvaccinated

Recent research found that the Delta variant grows more rapidly and to a much greater extent in the respiratory tract causing trouble breathing and persistent pain or pressure in the chest. The symptoms of fever and coughing can be found in both strains, however, headaches and sinus congestion are more closely related to the Delta Variant. The urge to continuously sneeze has also been a differing symptom doctors have discovered. In addition, the loss of taste and smell may happen periodically. Nationally, 97% of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 are unvaccinated.

Symptoms of Vaccinated Adults

Dr. Andrew Chan, an epidemiologist and physician at Massachusetts General Hospital and one of the lead investigators of the Covid Symptom Study, has noted that the symptoms among vaccinated adults are much more like the common cold and a higher prevalence of things like runny nose and sneezing.  Headaches and sore throat are other top complaints, he added. Fever and loss of taste and smell are being reported to a lesser degree.

Find COVID-19 Vaccines
Registering for an appointment is the quickest way to receive your vaccine, however walk-ins are being accepted at any of the State of Arizona POD locations listed here.

COVID-19 Testing

If you or your child have any potential Covid symptoms, including gastrointestinal problems, arrange for both yourself and your child to get a Covid test and follow the advice of your healthcare provider. You may need immediate medical care and/or be required to quarantine at home.  Covid testing is available at all Canyonlands Locations.

Testing locations throughout Arizona can be found at the Arizona Department of Health website at: https://www.azdhs.gov/covid19/index.php#everyone-get-tested

Unvaccinated Covid Survivors

Studies show that unvaccinated COVID-19 survivors are twice as likely to get infected than survivors who have been vaccinated.

Breakthrough Infections

Breakthrough infections are infections that have occurred even though a person is fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The number of breakthrough COVID-19 cases in Arizona is increasing as a percentage of the overall new cases. According to the Arizona Department of Health Services, 11% of the new COVID cases in July were breakthrough cases. The state health department says the efficacy of Pfizer and Moderna vaccines is about 90%.  A breakthrough case tends to produce milder symptoms and is of shorter duration.

According to the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention, about 0.005% of the vaccinated population has reported breakthrough cases of COVID-19.

Want more in-depth information about the Delta variant? Read Dissecting the Unusual Biology of the SARS-CoV-2 Delta Variant