The Omicron variant of Covid-19 causes different symptoms to previous strains.
While a fever and a persistent cough were the most common signs of the Alpha and Delta variants, those sick with Omicron are more likely to present cold-like symptoms.
Since first being detected, scientists have been researching the indicators of Omicron, and have now compiled a list of the 20 most common symptoms of the strain.
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The ZOE Covid Study is a Covid surveillance study app that has been documenting information about the virus, such as how it presents in patients and where the hotspots are at any given time.
As reported by the Manchester Evening News, the app is the largest reporting community on Covid in the world — collecting data from more than 4.7 million users.
According to the study, the five most common Omicron symptoms are still those akin to a common cold, such as a runny nose, sore head, sneezing, and a scratchy throat.
However, many other symptoms have been reported, including loss of appetite, hoarse voice, and diarrhoea.
Research has indicated that the onset of symptoms tends to occur quicker than that of previous variants, happening between two and five days after being infected.
Professor Tim Spector, who’s worked on the study, said: "Over 50 per cent of people with a cold-like symptom have PCR proven Covid.
"It will be interesting to see if this changes when schools go back.
"It shows that the restrictions, social distancing, possibly mask wearing has had a greater effect on colds and flu than omicron, which is even better at infecting us."
He added: "It does suggest that these symptoms are of shorter duration than they are of Delta.
"People are having symptoms for a shorter amount of time, especially in that first week.
"If people are testing negative with lateral flow tests at the end of those five days because the whole period of that infection and getting over it appears to be faster."
The 20 most common Omicron symptoms
- Headache
- Runny nose
- Fatigue
- Sneezing
- Sore throat
- Persistent cough
- Hoarse voice
- Other
- Chills or shivers
- Fever
- Dizzy
- Brain fog
- Altered smell
- Eye soreness
- Unusual muscle pains
- Skipped meals
- Loss of smell
- Chest pain
- Swollen glands
- Feeling down
