A doctor has warned parents of the four Covid symptoms to look out for in children as kids go back to school in Scotland.
The Omicron Covid variant is rapidly spreading across Scotland - as of December 31, there were 11,962 new Covid-19 cases in Scotland.
However, due to the vaccines, hospitalisations and Covid related deaths are nowhere near as high as they were last year.
Studies are suggesting that this new variant has milder Covid symptoms in comparison to Delta and is putting less people into hospital.
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When the Omicron was first detected in South Africa, Dr Angelique Coetze was treating patients when she noticed that their symptoms were different from what she has seen before.
As the Mirror reports, the traditional signs of coronavirus include a fever, continuous cough and loss or change in sense of taste or smell, but it appears to be quite different in regards to the Omicron variant.
Experts have warned spotting Omicron can be more difficult due to its resemblance with the common cold, although symptoms are described as "mild".
Now pupils are returning back to school, staff and parents are being encouraged to do their bit to minimise the spread of Covid.
The chief medical officer, Professor Sir Gregor Smith said: "Rapid lateral flow testing helps us to find infectious cases that might otherwise have been missed, as around one in three people with Covid-19 does not show classic symptoms.
"That's why it is really important that secondary pupils and school and early learning and childcare staff take lateral flow tests before they return to classes and settings after the break, and that they keep testing regularly throughout term."
He continued: "Pupils and staff who are eligible for vaccination should get their jags, and, where appropriate, boosters as soon as they can to receive greater protection from the virus.
"Those aged 12 to 15 are being offered second doses of the vaccine from this week and I would urge them to take up the offer."
What are the four Omicron symptoms in children?
Speaking on Sky News, GP Dr David Lloyd said symptoms of Omicron in children include fatigue, a headache, loss of appetite and a skin rash.
He note one main difference between adults and children that parents should look out for.
Although rashes have been appearing in a “small cohort” of adult Covid patients, up to 15 per cent of children with Omicron seem to get an unusual rash.
Other common signs appearing in children include the more traditional symptoms such as a high temperature, a new, continuous cough, and a loss or change to a sense of smell or taste.
