Unique Symptoms in Breakthrough Infections: Sneezing

UK King's College London Researchers... If You Sneeze Frequently After Second Vaccination, You Should Be Suspicious

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[Asia Economy Senior Reporter Jinsoo Lee] An unexpected new symptom appears when a person who has completed the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine becomes infected with COVID-19. According to researchers at King's College London, a public university in the UK, that symptom is sneezing.

The typical symptoms that appear when infected with COVID-19 are loss of smell, persistent coughing, and fever. However, it has been found that people who have received the second dose of the vaccine tend to complain of sneezing more often than those who have not yet been vaccinated. For those not yet vaccinated, sneezing is often a symptom of a cold or allergy.

Both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals show the same symptoms when infected with COVID-19. However, the symptoms in vaccinated people are milder and the duration is shorter.

Interestingly, when a person who has completed the second dose tests positive for COVID-19, sneezing symptoms appear more frequently compared to those who have not been vaccinated. Therefore, researchers pointed out that if a person who has completed the second dose repeatedly sneezes without any special reason, it could be a symptom of a 'breakthrough infection.' A breakthrough infection refers to a case where a fully vaccinated person?who has received the 1 or 2 doses as specified by the vaccine and passed the two-week period for antibody formation?becomes infected with COVID-19.

The researchers also urged caution, noting that droplets can spread widely through sneezing, so people should cover their mouth and nose with their sleeve when coughing or sneezing to prevent transmission to others, and avoid touching their eyes, nose, and mouth before washing their hands.

The report from King's College London researchers was published online on the 18th.