LONDON — British scientists analyzing data from a widely-used COVID-19 symptom-tracking app have found there are six distinct types of the disease, each distinguished by a cluster of symptoms, according to Reuters. A King"s College London team found that the six types also correlated with levels of severity of infection, and with the likelihood of a patient needing help with breathing — such as oxygen or ventilator treatment — if they are hospitalized. The findings could help doctors to predict which COVID-19 patients are most at risk and likely to need hospital care in future waves of the epidemic. The outcomes also varied significantly; some got mild, flu-like symptoms or a rash and others suffered acute symptoms or died. The study, released online on Friday but not peer-reviewed by independent scientists, described the six COVID-19 types as: 1 "Flu-like" with no fever: Headache, loss of smell, muscle pains, cough, sore throat, chest pain, no fever. 2 "Flu-like" with fever: Headache, loss of smell, cough, sore throat, hoarseness, fever, loss of appetite. 3 Gastrointestinal: Headache, loss of smell, loss of appetite, diarrhea, sore throat, chest pain, no cough. 4 Severe level one, fatigue: Headache, loss of smell, cough, fever, hoarseness, chest pain, fatigue. 5 Severe level two, confusion: Headache, loss of smell, loss of appetite, cough, fever, hoarseness, sore throat, chest pain, fatigue, confusion, muscle pain. 6 Severe level three, abdominal and respiratory: Headache, loss of smell, loss of appetite, cough, fever, hoarseness, sore throat, chest pain, fatigue, confusion, muscle pain, shortness of breath, diarrhea, abdominal pain. Patients with level 4,5 and 6 types were more likely to be admitted to hospital and more likely to need respiratory support, the researchers said. — SPA