The arrival of the Omicron variant in the UK has fuelled Covid-19 case rates, but it’s also had an impact on symptoms.
A high temperature, a new continuous cough, and a loss or change to sense of smell or taste have all been recognised as the three main signs of coronavirus infection over the past two years.
However, the Omicron variant is proving to cause different effects and symptoms may instead be confused with a common cold.
A total of 51.3% of people who have new cold-like symptoms are likely to have symptomatic Covid-19, according to the ZOE Covid study, with a runny nose, sore throat or headache among the most common signs of infection.
Tim Spector, Professor of Genetic Epidemiology at King’s College London and the scientist behind the ZOE Covid study app, has warned that people need to be aware of new symptoms that are emerging so they know when to take a test, as the government’s official list has not been updated since spring last year.
In a YouTube video, Prof Spector said: “A lot of the Omicron symptoms, the majority of them are looking like the common cold or some other viral illness, without any of the classic symptoms.
“Unfortunately the government hasn’t yet taken this on board and are one of the only government’s in the world not to tell its citizens what the symptoms are.
“But they are runny nose, headache, sneezing, persistent cough and sore throat. So do keep an eye out for them and try not to infect anyone else.”
If you are unsure of the main symptoms of Covid-19 beyond the ‘classic three’, listed are X of the most common warning signs that you should look out for.
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However, the Omicron variant is proving to cause different effects and symptoms may instead be confused with a common cold.
5. Sore throat
Almost half of people with Covid-19 will experience a sore throat, but it tends to be more common among adults aged between 18 and 65. It will usually appear in the first week of illness and last no more than five days.
6. Fever
Another of the ‘classic’ three, this symptom affects around four in 10 people with Covid-19. For those who are under 65, having a temperature over 37.8C is likely to be a sign of coronavirus. For those over 65 or very thin, a reading over 37.4C could indicate infection.
7. Loss of taste and smell
While less common of the Omicron variant, a loss of change to taste and smell is one of the main warning signs of infection from other Covid-19 strains. This tends to be one of the earliest signs of Covid-19 and will usually last around five days.
8. Fatigue
Extreme tiredness has been linked to Omicron as well as previous strain, and can cause you to feel ‘wiped out’ despite resting or having a good night’s sleep. It usually lasts between five to eight days, although some people can still feel tired for several weeks after infection.