Much remains unknown about the new highly transmissible Omicron variant, but we know that its symptoms are quite different from what we've seen with other coronavirus variants.
According to the NHS, the common signs of Covid are a high temperature, a new or persistent cough, loss or change in sense of taste or smell. Symptoms of Omicron have been noted to be different to these three classic signs.
Experts have described the new strain to be more mild, and similar to a common cold. However, some Omicron sufferers have reported a new symptom that has been described as a 'nightmare'. Here's what you need to know about it
What is the Omicron symptom which strikes at night?
Many people who have been infected have reported experienced 'terrifying' sleep paralysis. The NHS explains: “Sleep paralysis is when you cannot move or speak as you are waking up or falling asleep.”
The condition happens when a person cannot move their muscles because they are in sleep mode while their brain is active. It can affect people at any stage of sleep, and sometimes even cause hallucinations such as feeling like someone is pushing you down.
While it can feel 'terrifying' for anyone who experiences it, the NHS has assured that it's harmless and that most people will only get it once or twice in their life.
Though it could be linked to the virus itself, experts believe that sleep paralysis could also be a side effect of increased stress caused by lifestyle changes from the pandemic.
What are the symptoms of Omicron?
According to a Covid study from symptom tracker app ZOE, the most common symptoms of Omicron are:
Scratchy throat
Runny nose
Sneezing
Mild muscle aches
Fatigue
Another common night-time Omicron symptom is night sweats, while other symptoms that have been reported include congestion, brain fog and skin rashes.
Most symptoms of Omicron have been described as mild but Dr Angelique Coetzee, who first raised the alarm on the new variant, has noted that headaches and sore muscles can be felt more intensely, particularly by unvaccinated people.
What to do if you think you have Covid
If you believe you're experiencing symptoms of Covid, the NHS advises that, you should "self-isolate immediately and get a PCR test”, even if the symptoms are mild.
The health body also recommends that you self-isolate even if you've had the virus before, adding: "You probably have some immunity to the virus but it's not clear how long it lasts."
