Covid-19 infections in the UK are continuing to fluctuate, with recent high rates driven by the end of coronavirus restrictions and increased social mixing.
With the infectious BA.2 sub-variant of Omicron now being the dominant strain across the world, researchers have found eight key Covid symptoms that are commonly appearing in fully vaccinated people.
The symptoms were highlighted by a researcher from Norway who conducted a study of guests from a November 2021 party where there was an Omicron outbreak.
Out of 111 participants in the study, 66 people had Covid even though 89% had received both doses of the Covid vaccine.
According to the study, published in infectious disease and epidemiology journal Eurosurveillance , here are the eight symptoms experienced by the group of fully vaccinated partygoers.
What Covid symptoms should fully vaccinated people look for?
The eight Covid symptoms appearing in fully jabbed people are quite similar to those caused by a cold or flu. These are:
- Cough
- Runny nose
- Fatigue
- Sore throat
- Headache
- Muscle pain
- Fever
- Sneezing
Of these, a cough, runny nose and fatigue were found to be the most common symptoms while fever and sneezing were the least common. Health experts also added nausea as a potential symptom of Omicron in vaccinated people.
Unlike previous strains, which often presented with three classic symptoms - a fever, persistent cough and loss of sense of smell or taste - Omicron symptoms have been established as mild and similar to a cold.
Since it can be difficult to tell the difference between Omicron symptoms and a cold, people are recommended - though there is no legal requirement anymore - that they stay home if possible if they feel unwell.
What are the early warning signs of Covid?
The ZOE Covid study has found two tell-tale symptoms that could an early sign of Covid infection.
People affected by the stealth Omicron sub-variant have been found to experience dizziness or fainting, which happens on and off throughout the day.
One more common early symptom is fatigue, which in turn leads to body pain, weak or aching muscles, headaches as well as blurry vision and loss of appetite.
South African private practitioner Dr Angelique Coetzee, who first raised the alarm on the Omicron variant back in late 2021, previously revealed that fatigue was one of the main symptoms of Omicron.
Stealth Omicron symptoms are also though to appear sooner than other strains of the virus, with signs of infection manifesting within two days of being infected rather than the typical four.
