A professor has given a warning over two covid symptoms that shouldn't be ignored.
The Omicron variant of Covid-19 continues to mutate and with it brings more key symptoms. According to Professor Tim Spector, of the ZOE Covid Study app, there are two main symptoms that you should 'take seriously' as the virus continues to change. He gave the latest on two new subvariants of Omicron - BA.4 and BA.5.
Speaking in his latest YouTube video, the Professor said the UK is not yet seeing "worrying levels" of the variants. However, he warned: "We are keeping an eye on this because South Africa - where Omicron was first picked up - is seeing BA.4 and BA.5 increasing quite fast."
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He warned that loss of smell and tinnitus - also known as ear ringing - are symptoms to take "really seriously". Although the former was more associated with previous strains. Professor Spector said: "It suggests another part of the body is being affected, something internal, more close to the brain."
The alert comes after Prof Spector and his team carried out a survey to assess the prevalence of tinnitus in people infected with covid. Tinnitus is when people experience ringing or other noises in one or both of their ears. He said: "Despite being something we haven't heard much about, it turns out that 19% or one in five of you did have ear problems because of covid."
According to the ZOE lead, of the 14,500 people who took part in the survey, 5,000 tested positive for covid and ear ringing. Participants said the symptom "comes and goes and can be mild to moderate for weeks or months".
Prof Spector admitted he did get it but it "disappeared quickly in me". People are advised to contact their GP if they have tinnitus regularly or constantly.
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