(Image: Getty) Stay on top of the headlines from Belfast and beyond by signing up for FREE email alerts More Newsletters Subscribe Please enter a valid email Something went wrong, please try again later. More Newsletters We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you.
More info Thank you for subscribing! We have more newsletters Show me See Our Privacy Notice See Our Privacy Notice × Group 28 Stay on top of the headlines from Belfast and beyond by signing up for FREE email alerts Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later. Sign Up No thanks, close We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you.
More info × Group 28 Thank you for subscribing! We have more newsletters Show Me No thanks, close See our Privacy Notice Superdrug has reported a staggering 319% increase in sales of coronavirus lateral flow tests and a 297% rise in cold and flu relief sachets, signalling a potential new wave of illness this summer. The health and beauty retailer also witnessed a significant uptick in vitamin sales, with Vitamin D purchases soaring by 116% and Zinc by 58%, as people across the UK take steps to strengthen their immune defences against the seasonal bugs. Hospital Covid positivity rates have seen an uptick from 3.
72 to 4.35 per 100,000 over the latest week, according to recent figures. Speaking to Sky News, Mark Woolhouse, professor of infectious disease epidemiology at the University of Edinburgh, cautioned: "The waves continue to be driven by a combination of new variants and a partial waning immunity to infection.
" Yet, the task of telling apart Covid from common cold symptoms which can include a sore throat, blocked nose, headache, and cough remains a tricky one, reports the Mirror . Specific symptoms that differentiate Covid from the common cold include: Fever: A high fever is more commonly associated with Covid. Summer colds might cause a mild fever, but it’s typically lower than those in Covid cases.
Loss of taste or smell: Anosmia (loss of taste or smell) is a commonly known symptom of Covid, rarely seen with Summer colds. Fatigue and body aches: Covid often causes extreme fatigue and body aches. While Summer colds can cause tiredness, the level of fatigue is usually less severe.
Shortness of breath: Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath is more specific to Covid, particularly in more severe cases. Duration of symptoms: Covid symptoms may last longer and change over time. A Summer cold typically resolves within a week to ten days.
Superdrug's Pharmacy Superintendent Niamh McMillan has issued a warning, stating: "With Covid causing a range of respiratory symptoms, individuals should be aware of the distinct characteristics that may differentiate a Summer cold from one associated with this virus. "If you have a persistent cough, shortness of breath, and loss of taste or smell, it might be time to investigate further and potentially take a Covid test." Join our Belfast Live breaking news service on WhatsApp Click this link or scan the QR code to receive breaking news and top stories from Belfast Live.
We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice .
For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our What's On newsletter Story Saved You can find this story in My Bookmarks. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. Follow BelfastLive Facebook Twitter More On Coronavirus Health.
