New symptom that shows you may have already had coronavirus

An expert has identified a sign that people may have already had Covid-19 without knowing it

A leading scientist has identified a new symptom that could mean you've already had coronavirus.

The NHS recognises three official symptoms for covid-19, these are: a new and persistent cough, loss of smell or taste and a high temperature.

But people who've had the condition have listed various other symptoms such as skin rashes and fatigue.

And now it appears that your nails could also indicate you've had covid before - reports Birmingham Live.

According to Professor Tim Spector people who have a “clear line” growing out of their nail may show they have had the virus before.

Prof Spector, who leads the Zoe Symptom Study app, posted an image on Twitter.

Alongside the photo he wrote: "Do your nails look odd? COVID nails are increasingly being recognised as the nails recover after infection and the growth recovers leaving a clear line. Can occur without skin rashes and appears harmless."

One Twitter user replied: "Do you get these after having flu too? I had (for the first time) flu in early December 2019 and noticed these lines weeks/months until the nail grew out and I wondered if there was a link."

Prof Spector replied: "Yes - any illness can provoke them - it’s not specific to Covid - but clearly a lot of people were exposed at a similar time."

A second added: "The same thing occurred to me, critical illness and Septic Shock in 2018-2019. Both hair and nails cleared up as I became well, started to gain my weight back, went through intense rehab, and became healthy. Illness takes a toll on all parts of the body. The body is amazing."

A third said: "I developed these as well as my nails now growing ‘misshapen’ since having COVID in early Dec. Never considered that could have been the cause good to know I haven’t imagined this!"

And another said: "OMG yes and so dry I wondered what was going on ! Wow another one to add to the list then."