BY now most Brits know that Omicron symptoms are not your typical Covid cough, fever and loss of smell or taste.
It’s pretty well known the variant shows up as more mild and cold-like – largely due to vaccines.
But often people can forget it’s not just a runny nose, sore throat or a headache.
There are other, more unusual clues, that are worth knowing – as it could mean you need to take a test.
Back pain
It had been earmarked as an early warning sign of the variant back in December, but hadn’t appeared in the official Zoe Symptoms Study App symptoms until now.
Lower back pain has been reported by 20 per cent of Covid patients in the last week.
Professor Tim Spector, behind the leading study, said last week: “Because of your reports, we added in low back pain as an option and it’s coming in quite frequently.”
Loss of appetite
Again this was one logged by the Zoe app, with it first being noted as a difference between Delta and Omicron.
Experts said: “Contributor reports also identified loss of appetite and brain fog as common symptoms.
“These findings line up with a small batch of data from contributors who reported that their positive PCR results were suspected or confirmed Omicron infections.”
Loss of taste (and smell) has become a well known classic sign of coronavirus – and it could last for many more weeks or months even when infection is over.
But, according to ZOE, loss of taste or smell is much less likely to strike compared to the early part of the pandemic.
Night sweats
Doctors said many patients have suffered from night sweats.
This is when you sweat so much your nightwear and bedding are soaking wet, even though where you are sleeping is cool.
Dr Amir Khan, a British GP, described “drenching night sweats”, the kind “where you might have to get up and change your clothes”.
He recommended getting a test done if you are experiencing night sweats out of the blue.
Vomiting and diarrhoea
Noticing you feel sick, are being sick or are running to the loo a lot more could also be a sign of Omicron.
Professor Tim Spector, from the ZOE Covid Symptom Study, told the Sun Online the variant could be settling in the gut rather than the nose.
This means, when people are infected and experiencing gut symptoms like an upset stomach they will test negative – as there won’t be traces of Omicron in the nose or mouth.
The expert explained: “We know that the virus tries to enter the mouth or nose, and shows up in the respiratory system or the lungs.
“And it sometimes goes into the gut and people who have long Covid – they’ve found traces of the virus in the gut that can last a long time.
“We know that this virus travels to different parts of the body. It’s possible that Omicron or another variant is attacking the gut.
“And this would not be showing in the nose – so you could have a gut infection but not show up as positive.
“We could be missing quite a few cases simply by swabbing the nose.”
Confusion
These slightly more unusual Omicron symptom has been flagged as one to watch out for in patients.
Doctors have warned if you develop confusion it could mean you need medical treatment.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has said it is an “emergency warning sign”.
They suggest seeking out help “immediately” if you or someone in your household starts to seem confused while suffering with Covid.
The CDC also says anyone experiencing trouble breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, inability to stay awake or pale or blue skin, lip or nail beds, should get urgent help.
Eye problems
The World Health Organization lists “irritated eyes” as a less common symptom of the virus.
Irritation to the eyes could include one, or a combination, or the following symptoms:
- Conjunctivitis (“pink eye”) – inflammation on the thin clear tissue over the white of the eye and in the lining of the eyelid
- Red eyes
- Itchy eyes
- Sore eyes
- Light sensitivity
- Blurred vision
- Discharge
The NHS still lists a new persistent cough, a loss of taste and smell and a high temperature as the key signs of Covid.
But it’s important that if you think you have Covid from any known symptom you get a test and isolate for five full days, and take lateral flows to be released.
