Scientists have discovered 10 Omicron symptoms cropping up in people infected by the fast-spreading variant.
The new strain is now thought to have replaced Delta as the dominant form of Covid in the UK as a raft of new restrictions have been brought in to halt it.
The NHS guidance on coronavirus symptoms still remain the same - a high temperature, a loss or change to smell of taste and a new continuous cough.
But researchers from the Zoe Covid Study - the world's largest ongoing study of coronavirus - have identified a number of symptoms specific to Omicron.
The symptoms are mostly mild and a similar to that of a cold or flu, which is why people are being warned not to ignore them if they start to feel ill.
Researchers in the UK and South Africa have also discovered more unusual symptoms, including brain fog and lower back pain.
Using recent data from London, where Omicron prevalence is higher than other regions of the UK, ZOE data scientists analysed symptom data from positive cases recorded.
The top five symptoms in were:
- Runny nose
- Headache
- Fatigue (mild or severe)
- Sneezing
- Sore or scratchy throat
Contributor reports also identified as common symptoms:
- Loss of appetite
- Brain fog
Data from 78,000 Omicron cases in South Africa, where the variant was discovered, found these symptoms:
- Lower back pain
- Night sweats
- Muscle aches
Researchers at the Zoe Covid Study said: "While Omicron and Delta may feel like a cold to many of us, it can kill and leave 1 in 50 with long-term symptoms that disrupt their day-to-day lives."
They added: "Our research shows there's more to COVID than the three classic symptoms, but many people remain unaware of all the symptoms we should be looking out for. This leaves people at risk of wrongly believing they have a cold, when in fact they could have COVID.
"The most powerful thing we can do to prevent the spread of COVID is to know how to recognise its symptoms, so we can stay at home and stop the spread."
If you start to develop symptoms no matter how mild, you should stay home and get a test, especially if you’re living or working around people who are at risk.
Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our daily newsletter here .
