DigitEye India Fact Checkers
A message that claims that the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) has issued a new list of symptoms to detect COVID-19 is going viral on social media. The message is doing the rounds in the wake of the rising number of COVID-19 cases in the country. According to the message, the pathology department of AIIMS has listed how one can detect coronavirus at home.
The viral message alleges that
(1) dry cough + sneeze = air pollution
(2) cough + mucus + sneeze + runny nose = common cold
(3) Cough + mucus + sneeze + runny nose + body ache + weakness + light fever = flu
(4) Dry cough + sneeze + body pain + weakness + high fever + difficulty breathing = coronavirus
Digiteye India received a request on WhatsApp to fact-check this viral message.
FACT CHECK
The Digiteye India team went to the website of AIIMS to check if they had issued any advisory or statement regarding the same. We could not find any notice or memorandum that mentions that this is how one can detect COVID-19. We also conducted a keyword search on Google regarding the same. One of the results led us to this news article that was published by Hindustan Times on December 27, 2023. It mentions that AIIMS has issued a memorandum that states, “12 beds in the C6 ward will be earmarked for the hospitalization of seriously ill COVID-19 patients.”
We looked further and found a COVID-19 booklet that was uploaded by AIIMS. In the booklet, they have mentioned that the symptoms of COVID-19 are – “Fever, Sore throat, Cough and Shortness of breath. These are similar to the symptoms of any viral infection, like common cold, influenza etc.”
AIIMS has not issued the statement that is going viral on social media.
According to the World Health Organization, the symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, cough, tiredness, loss of taste or smell, sore throat, headache, aches and pains, diarrhoea, a rash on the skin, or discolouration of fingers or toes, and/or red or irritated eyes.
The Digiteye India team talked to Shagun Govil, a doctor based in South Delhi, who said that “while the symptoms of COVID-19 might mimic flu and common cold, it should not be ignored. If a person is suffering from any health inconvenience, they should visit the nearest doctor who can guide them correctly.”
The claim is, hence, false.
CLAIM: AIIMS has issued a new advisory with a list of symptoms to detect COVID-19.
CONCLUSION: No such information has been shared on the official website of AIIMS. The symptoms of a common cold, flu, and viral fever can be similar to COVID-19. In the wake of the rising number of COVID-19 cases in several parts of the country, it is essential to consult a healthcare professional first.
RATING: Misleading — 
