The first 8 symptoms of Omicron you must never ignore
BRITS are keeping a watchful eye on any new symptoms that could suggest Omicron.
Any new tickle or cough could spell disaster for Christmas plans, but you must know the signs to keep your loved ones safe.
Eight symptoms have been identified as key in knowing if you might have picked up the variant.
These are: a scratchy throat, runny nose, fatigue, sneezing, lower back pain, headache, night sweats and muscle aches.
Professor Tim Spector, who leads the ZOE Covid App Symptom study, said: “Hopefully people now recognise the cold-like symptoms which appear to be the predominant feature of Omicron.”
Their latest analysis showed only half of the people currently suffering with Covid are experiencing the classic three symptoms listed on the NHS.
These are fever, a cough or loss of smell or taste.
A booster shot is the best protection against Omicron, with early data suggesting it pushes efficacy back up to 75 per cent.
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Dr Jenny Harries, UKHSA Chief Executive said: “Once again, we urge everyone who is able to get a booster jab to come forward and do so. It is the best defence we have against this highly transmissible new variant."
The Sun is also urging readers to sign up to the Jabs Army campaign to make the rollout as smooth and fast as possible.
More than two thirds of eligible Brits have now received their top up protection, as the NHS booster campaign continues to protect the nation against the virus.
The Zoe experts said: "This may come as a surprise to some, as the UK government never updated guidance on COVID symptoms beyond the classic three symptoms.
"Many months ago, the ZOE Covid Study helped to identify over 20, mostly mild, cold-like symptoms."
Unben Pillay, a family doctor practising on the outskirts of Johannesburg, said that while it was still early days, “we are seeing patients present with dry cough, fever, night sweats and a lot of body pain”.
Dr Amir Khan, a British GP, described “drenching night sweats”, the kind “where you might have to get up and change your clothes”.
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The UK's Omicron death toll has now risen to 12, with 104 patients in hospital with the variant.
It comes as the PM is facing a battle between ministers and experts over bringing in stricter restrictions surrounding Christmas.
The country has now got 45,145 Omicron infections, with a rise of 8,044 yesterday.
Some experts say if you feel unwell, regardless of the symptoms, it is worth getting tested.
If you have a cough, fever or loss of smell and/or taste, you should immediately get a test, the NHS says.
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If you have a positive lateral flow test, the NHS says “get a PCR test to confirm your result as soon as possible”.
These tests can be delivered to your home for free or picked up in pharmacies, some schools and workplaces.
