The Omicron symptom that could help you predict infection BEFORE a Covid test
ONE Covid symptom could be warning you that you're infected with the virus BEFORE a positive lateral flow test.
As Plan B restrictions are starting to lift across England, experts are warning the public of the new Covid symptoms that could mean you've caught the milder Omicron strain.
Over 20 symptoms have been identified by Brits exposed to the milder variant, which means it can be a little confusing to know when to get a test.
But, experts are suggesting that one symptom, in particular, could warn that you've caught the virus before a positive covid test.
Research has suggested that a sore throat is the first symptom felt when you get infected, as experts are warning those to stay home and get tested.
The Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Public Health, Dr Allison Arwady, said a sore throat is the most common symptom for predicting a positive Covid test, suggesting you should stay home if you have one.
"More true than ever right now because sick, even a little bit sick, until proven otherwise with a test — that’s Covid. That’s how we treat it, that’s how you should treat it."
The most commonly felt symptoms of Covid are a runny nose, headache, fatigue, altered smell and a low appetite.
An earache has been noted as a regular symptom for people who test positive for the variant - especially by those who have been vaccinated.
Unusual joint pains have also been added to the list of common symptoms, with fewer cases reporting feeling down and a loss of smell.
The Office for National Statistics also revealed the top three symptoms they have seen reported - a cough, fatigue and headache.
These vary from the three main symptoms of coronavirus set out by the NHS, which have not changed since Covid reached our shores in March 2020.
Data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) states that the most commonly reported symptoms have been a cough, fatigue and headache.
These vary from the three main symptoms of Coronavirus set out by the NHS which have not changed since March 2020.
The NHS also still lists a persistent cough, a loss of taste and smell and a high temperature as the key signs of Covid-19.
The top 20 symptoms:
More people are recording usual, common cold symptoms when they test positive for Covid-19, with the most common symptons:
- Runny nose
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Sore throat
- Sneezing
- Persistent cough
- Hoarse voice
- Other
- Unusual joint pains
- Chills or shivers
- Fever
- Dizzy
- Eye soreness
- Brain fog
- Unusual muscle pains
- Altered smell
- Skipped meals
- Swollen glands
- Chest pain
- Earache
People have been logging how they feel before and after testing positive on the ZOE Covid Symptom Study app, which has helped scientists identify how the virus has changed, and how it's affecting vaccinated Brits.
Professor Tim Spector said that the study has been vital to helping people understand the symptoms of Covid-19.
But the lead scientist on the ZOE Covid Study app warned that: "While it is easy to think the worst is over, our health service is still not functioning properly, and complacency will inevitably lead to trouble.
"The ZOE data is already showing an uptick in symptomatic cases in children due to the back to school effect.
"With cases still high and restrictions being lifted, we’ll just have to hope that people remain sensible, their households are triple vaccinated, and regardless of official advice, that everyone knows to isolate and self-test when experiencing cold-like symptoms.”
A string of hugely positive studies shows that Omicron is milder than other strains in those vaccinated in the UK.
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The first official UK report also revealed that the risk of hospitalisation is 50 to 70 per cent lower than with the Delta variant.
Government guidelines state that it's still important to get tested if you think you have Covid and isolate for five days if you test positive.