Omicron symptoms: 9 most common signs of Covid infection in people who are fully vaccinated
The severity of Covid can differ from person to person and Omicron has been found to cause a broader variety of symptoms
Symptoms of the Omicron Covid-19 variant have proved to be more diverse than previous strains, making spotting infection more difficult.
A high temperature, a new continuous cough, and a loss or change to sense of smell or taste are still considered to be the three main signs of coronavirus, according to the NHS, but findings suggest that cold-like symptoms are actually more common with this variant.
The severity of symptoms have also generally been found to be less severe by comparison to the previously dominant Delta strain.
The UK government has continued to stress that vaccination is the strongest form of defence against the virus throughout the pandemic, and while the current vaccines are less effective at preventing infection and transmission of Omicron than previous variants, the jabs do help to protect against severe disease and death.
As such, those who are fully vaccinated against Covid-19 are more likely to experience midler symptoms if infected.
The ZOE Covid study app has identified nine symptoms that are most common among those who have tested positive for the virus and are double jabbed.
Tim Spector, Professor of Genetic Epidemiology at King’s College London, and leader of the ZOE Covid symptoms study, wrote in The Conversation: “When delta appeared, we then noticed a shift in the most frequently reported symptoms. Previously common symptoms such as shortness of breath, fever and loss of smell fell down the rankings.
“Cold-like symptoms – including a runny nose, sore throat and persistent sneezing – became more common, along with a headache and cough, particularly in people who had been vaccinated.
“Omicron appears to be continuing the trend set by delta. It’s causing symptoms that are much more like a regular cold, particularly in people who’ve been vaccinated, and fewer general systemic symptoms, such as nausea, muscle pains, diarrhoea and skin rashes.”
While Covid-19 restrictions are being relaxed across the UK in response to the recent drop in cases, the virus is still circulating so it is important to know the signs to look for.
Listed are the nine most common symptoms among the fully vaccinated, based on data from the ZOE Covid study app.
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The severity of symptoms have also generally been found to be less severe by comparison to the previously dominant Delta strain.
5. Cough
Widely recognised as one of the ‘classic’ Covid-19 symptoms, a cough typically affects four in 10 people who test positive, according to the ZOE Covid study. The caught will usually be persistent and very dry.
6. Nausea
This symptom has been increasingly reported among Omicron patients, alongside a loss of appetite, and tends to occur in the early stages of infection. It is thought to be more common among people who have been double vaccinated and boosted.
7. Muscle pains
Body aches and pains can be caused by all Covid-19 strains, but some patients infected with Omicron have more recently complained of lower back pain. This should only last for a few days and will usually occur at the start of the illness.
8. Diarrhoea
Infection from Omicon can affect the digestive system and cause some people to suffer a nasty case of diarrhoea. Those with weakened immune systems are most likely to experience this and other gastrointestinal symptoms, and it will likely occur in the early stages of infection.