Experts have revealed some of the very first symptoms associated only with the Omicron variant of coronavirus.
People have been advised to keep an eye out for the same three symptoms to determine if they have Covid-19, including the Delta variant.
These symptoms are a new, continuous cough; a high temperature; and a loss or change in your sense of taste or smell, the Mirror reports.
However, experts have now revealed that the Omicron variant, which is rapidly spreading throughout the country, has new symptoms - more often associated with the common cold.
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Record-numbers of the new variant have been reported across the country daily, with over 91,000 confirmed today alone in the UK.
And experts have revealed that the variant symptoms are different to those of other Covid variants, with 89 percent of those infected with Omicron suffering these effects.
The Mirror reports that, according to the American Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 89 percent of people infected with the variant share the same "initial" sign of infection.
Scientists have reported that those who have tested positive with the variant have a dry cough and a "scratchy throat", while some of the other early symptoms include include fatigue, congestion or a runny nose.
The most common symptoms of Covid are a high temperature, a new and continuous cough or a loss/change in sense of taste or smell, according to the NHS.
However, scientists believe that symptoms of Omicron are different to other variants.
South African doctor Angelique Coetzee, who first raised the alarm on Omicron, revealed previously that some patients – especially those who are unvaccinated – show some intense symptoms including headache and sore muscles (myalgia).
Though the symptoms of the Omicron variant has been found to be more mild so far, there are fears that it is more transmissible as well as concerns about whether it can evade immunity from vaccines or previous infection.
If you believe you Covid, whether that’s Omicron or some other variant, get a test and then self-isolate for at least 10 days if its positive.
According to Gov.uk guidance, the first thing to do if you find yourself having Covid symptoms is stay at home. The website states: "You should arrange to have a PCR test as soon as possible. If this PCR test result is positive, you must continue to self-isolate."
For lateral flow tests, you can either choose to have them delivered at home or collected from a pharmacy.
Lateral flow tests can also be found at community sites and some schools and colleges, especially now with the NHS online service to get these tests being suspended due to “exceptionally high demand”. You can get PCR tests booked through the NHS.
If you're fully vaccinated and have been exposed to the virus, you're advised to take daily lateral flow tests for seven days even if you show no symptoms.
Those who are unvaccinated are not eligible for the daily test and should instead self-isolate for 10 days if they've come into contact with anyone who has tested positive.
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