Omicron has become the dominant variant of Covid in Scotland in time for a busy Christmas period of festive parties and gatherings.
The latest data released by the Scottish Government shows that 792 cases of Covid have now come from the mutant strain - but the actual figure is said to be much higher.
Nicola Sturgeon earlier this week urged Scots to stay at home as much as possible in a bid to slow the spread of the virus.
Growing infection numbers in Scotland meant that a number of people are currently self isolating - which left Scotland’s high streets and pubs emptier than usual on the final weekend before Christmas.
But despite the warnings, many Scots met with friends and family inside pubs and bars last night - which will have left some nursing the typical festive hangover this morning.
Experts claim that some of the symptoms of the Omicron variant are similar to that of a hangover.
The Zoe Covid Study found that people with suspected cases of the mutant strain suffer from the likes of a headache, muscle aches, scratchy throat and fatigue.
London GP Dr Adam Caputa explained there is the potential for the new variant to be mistaken for a hangover due to its subtler symptoms, the Mirror reports.
He warned that Scots feeling “knackered” in the morning after a big night out might assume they’re suffering from the after effects of booze.
The doctor said: “At this time of year, people are enjoying themselves more than usual, and then one too many and you wake up feeling knackered and you assume it's just because of the alcohol."
Omicron symptoms "do seem to be more varied and potentially subtle than Delta", he said, adding that the mutation can "mimic" a hangover especially during the early stages.
Dr Adam says there are several sure-fire ways of checking whether it's caused by knocking back one-too-many or the virus.
The main indicator is how long the symptoms last, the doctor explains.
“After 24 hours or so, we would normally expect a hangover to settle and all symptoms to clear - so if this persists, we’re looking at it more likely being an Omicron infection," he told The Sun.
“If rest and a takeaway and lying on the sofa improve your symptoms,” he adds, “it's probably not Omicron.”
It's also important to identify symptoms which are different to those you'd expect from a hangover.
Dr Adam says people should listen to their body to check if it feels different.
And if you notice unusual signs or combinations of indicators, it's "really prudent" to test and isolate, he adds.
“So if you're really tired with a headache and you've also got a fever and cough, for example, then self isolate and do a PCR,” he explains.
Dr Adam's comments comes after experts revealed the strain produces symptoms which feel like the common cold.
The doctor said if you experience a fever, cough or loss of taste and smell - all indicators of Omicron - you should self-isolate and take a PCR test.
The time it takes for Omicron symptoms to show after being exposed may be less than with other variants, he said.
So Scots who contract the virus while on a night out may be suffering by the next morning.]He said: “It certainly could make you feel more tired than you usually would, and also we know that hangover headaches can be quite nasty".
“[A hangover] could initially exacerbate or make symptoms worse, just as a double effect with the virus.”
