Despite the majority of people who pick up the Omicron variant having nothing more than mild symptoms, the past year of Covid has taught us all just how dangerous the virus can be and how seriously it needs to be taken.
Viruses affect people in different ways, and so those who are most at risk need to be aware of dangerous symptoms - and so should their close friends, family and carers.
Those at risk include people with an underlying health condition and the unvaccinated.
Most people will find they are able to treat themselves from home and not need to get medical attention, although they must still isolate themselves from others to prevent the spread of the virus.
Despite this, the dangers of the latest strain are still very real.
The US-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, has made clear five specific symptoms that indicate someone with Omicron may need closer medical attention than first thought.
What Omicron symptoms mean you need medical attention?
The CDC say that the following symptoms are all signs you may need to receive medical attention:
- Trouble breathing
- Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
- New confusion
- Pale, gray, or blue-colored skin, lips or nail beds, depending on skin tone
- Inability to wake up (struggling to get up) or stay awake
Experts are saying this list is not definitive and overall you should look at getting medical attention if any symptom is concerning you.
Many people who are picking up Covid, however, are reporting symptoms more in line with the common lurgy.
The head of the ZOE Covid tracker app, Professor Tim Spector of King's College London, said: "Over 50 per cent of people with a cold-like symptom have PCR-proven Covid."
However, if you do begin to feel more ill or notice your symptoms are getting worse, the NHS advises you call 111 or seek attention from a medic.
The NHS says that you should get medical attention if you are having difficulty breathing or feeling very weak, achy or tired.
Is Omicron less deadly?
Conversations about Omicron being milder than the previous major variant, Delta, have been circulating for some time.
Now, as more and more scientific data pours in, it appears that this is in fact the case.
Reports shortly before Christmas have given good news, with the Sun reporting that patients with Omicron are 31-45% less likely to attend A&E and 50-70% less likely to be admitted to hospital.
Officials have continued to repeat that getting a booster jab is the best thing you can do to help tackle the virus and give your body the best shot at fighting it.
