Infection rates of the Omicron Covid variant are creeping back up, with UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) bosses confirming positive tests are up 5% on last week.
Omicron is believed to be more transmissible than the previous Delta variant, but infection appears to be milder, similar to that of a cold.
Now a ‘stealth’ version of the Omicron variant has appeared, leading to fears it could spark further waves of Covid-19 in the future.
The strain, named as Omicron BA.2, has been classified as a “variant under investigation” by the UKHSA, but there are still huge gaps in our knowledge about the variant.
It’s important to be aware of the symptoms of Omicron to avoid further spread of infection.
Here we take a look at some of the lesser known symptoms to look out for.
What are the symptoms of Omicron?
The main symptoms of coronavirus are a new, continuous cough, a fever and a loss of taste and/or smell, according to the NHS.
However, symptoms of the Omicron variant have been described as milder.
According to the ZOE Covid Study, the top five symptoms identified were a runny nose, headache, fatigue, sneezing and a sore throat.
There are also other sign to look out for – particularly ones that affect your ears, eyes and head.
Vertigo is a symptom that can occur during the “acute” phase of Covid infection, during the recovery process or as part of long Covid symptoms, says the NHS.
Vertigo is a sensation of spinning or an altered sense of motion, or lightheadedness.
The NHS adds: “Dizziness can also be linked with ringing in the ears, reduced hearing, eye strain and headaches.
“These may come and go throughout the day. If they are constant or very intense, you should inform your healthcare professional as they may want to do some further investigations.”
According to the NHS, many studies have shown that Covid may cause headaches.
It added: “Some people even get a headache before they notice any breathing problems. It is a common symptom of Covid.
“Headaches are often a feature of other viral infections, but for most people the presence of a headache does not always mean that the virus is still present in the body.”
According to Dr Konstantina Stankovic, chair of the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at Stanford University, ear pain is becoming a common sign of infection.
Her team found that some of those infected with Covid had inner ear symptoms.
She told 7News: "If you notice hearing loss or dizziness or ringing in your ears, don't dismiss them.
"Get tested formally. In some of our patients, we've seen that hearing loss is the only sign of Covid infection.”
If you experience any symptoms associated with Covid-19, you should book a free PCR test from the NHS website.
