The key Omicron symptom to watch out for – and it’s changed since Delta

BRITS will be well versed in the classic Covid symptoms of a cough, fever and loss of smell or taste.

But since variants have emerged, signs of infection have changed hugely - even more so with Omicron.

It is a milder illness, especially in the vaccinated, with most people reporting feeling like they have a bad cold.

There are a number of warning signs you are in the early stages of illness - sore throat, headache, night sweats, earache.

But one that keeps being reported by Brits is a version of one of the original trio, still listed as the only Covid symptoms on the NHS website.

An altered smell - rather than a loss of smell - is a sign of Omicron, according to the thousands logging their symptoms on the ZOE Symptom Study App.

The Office for National Statistics revealed in its most recent data loss of smell or taste is being less frequently reported.

But this could be due to the fact it's not lost, it's just altered with Omicron.

This means people can still smell, but the sense is just a bit dulled or not quite functioning as usual.

It's especially helpful to know what symptoms they have when infected with the variant, as it helps others look for clues they too could be ill.

Most people who find their sense of smell or taste altered usually regain it after recovering from the illness, although there is not set amount of time this takes.

Last week earache and unusual joint pains was been added to the most commonly reported symptoms list, with loss of smell pulled and replaced with "altered".

Still in the top 20 are symptoms like runny nose, headache, fatigue, feeling dizzy and skipped meals.

Professor Tim Spector, lead scientist on the ZOE Covid Study app, said: "We have things like cough at number six, and other ones there that you might recognise worth looking at. 

"You've got all these muscle aches, altered smell, skipped meals, chest pain, earache and lots of others."

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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.

While Covid won't be a mild illness for everyone, most people who have had the variant say it's like a cold.

Covid booster jabs protect against Omicron and offer the best chance to get through the pandemic, health officials have repeatedly said.

The Sun's Jabs Army campaign is helping get the vital extra vaccines in Brits' arms to ward off the need for any new restrictions.

Research has also suggested a sore throat is one of the first symptom felt when you get infected.

The Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Public Health, Dr Allison Arwady, said it is the most common symptom for predicting a positive Covid test, suggesting you should stay home if you have one.

As reported by , she said: "Even if it’s a sore throat, no matter what it is. I’ve told my own staff this, it’s what I do myself... if you are sick, even a little bit sick, stay home.

"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."