Omicron: Five symptoms to look out for

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Do you know the symptoms of Omicron to look out for? As infections top 50,000 across the UK, and with Christmas around the corner, it’s incredibly important to be vigilant about symptoms and keep testing regularly. These are the most common symptoms of Omicron.

Omicron continues to spread at a rapid rate in the UK, with the new variant now accounting for 90 percent of London cases, and more than 50,000 cases nationwide.

Only around 50 percent of people with Omicron experience the ‘official’ three symptoms that have remained consistent across every new coronavirus variant.

These are:

• A fever
• A new and continuous cough
• A loss of or altered sense of smell or taste

However, according to the ZOE Covid study, some people don’t experience these symptoms at all, and may write off their symptoms as a cold, when it’s actually a case of Covid.

The app asks people to record their symptoms, and has found a huge variety of coronavirus symptoms in those who are infected.

One of the more unusual – but surprisingly common – symptoms of Omicron is so-called brain fog, but what is brain fog, and how do you know if you have it?

Brain fog isn’t a technical term, but it’s a phrase we are hearing a lot more, especially in relation to Omicron and to long covid.

Before coronavirus swept the globe, brain fog was most commonly associated with people who had chronic pain conditions, perimenopause or were going through chemotherapy.

Brain fog can affect people differently but it tends to involve memory problems, difficulty concentrating and not being able to think clearly.

Having brain fog can make everyday tasks both exhausting and frustrating.

You might begin to notice signs of brain fog if tasks you normally find easy are suddenly difficult, if you seem unusually forgetful or if you struggle to concentrate at work or in conversation with people.

Losing your train of thought more often, or walking into a room and completely forgetting why you’re there, could be signs of brain fog.

According to Bangor University, where a team of researchers are currently studying the link between long covid and brain fog, the effects can be severe.

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An article from Bangor University said: “This impairment impacts on individuals’ quality of life and can experience a range of symptoms.

“Decisions as seemingly simple as having tea or coffee to drink can throw some individuals, while others can have difficulties with short or long-term memory.

“The loss of functional ability has major consequences for people who are affected, their families and the wider economy, given people’s difficulty in returning to work.”

According to ZOE, the five main symptoms of Omicron are:

• A runny nose
• Headache
• Fatigue (mild or severe)
• Sneezing
• Sore throat

Loss of appetite and “brain fog” have also been reported as common symptoms, both of which could help to differentiate coronavirus from a cold.

Don’t forget the only way to rule out coronavirus is with a PCR test if you have any of the symptoms.

If you believe you have symptoms of coronavirus, you should self-isolate until you can take a PCR test to confirm whether you are infectious or not.

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