Most unpleasant Omicron symptoms – from chills and dizziness to muscle pains

As the UK looks ahead to learning to live with the coronavirus, it is important people know what the symptoms are. Some have been noted to be particularly unpleasant with the latest Omicron variant

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Doctor gives tips to relieve covid-19 omicron symptoms

The Omicron variant has had people reporting some strange symptoms.

It is now hoped that the UK is past the peak of the virus, as the government brings an end to Plan B restrictions.

However, there is still a concern as cases remain high. On January 20, the day after Boris Johnson announced work-from-home guidance would end with immediate effect, recorded cases went back up to 107,364.

The mandatory self-isolation period has also been reduced to five full days in a bid to tackle staff shortages in schools and in the NHS, but there are fears the period is too short to stem the surge.

It therefore remains important for people to be able to spot symptoms early, particularly when they are some of the more unpleasant symptoms of Covid.

One study has put together a list of the 10 most unpleasant symptoms experienced by people with Omicron.

10 worst Omicron symptoms

Brits have been recording data and how they feel through the ZOE Covid Symptom Study and some symptoms are particularly unpleasant.

Symptoms like a headache and joint pain are not uncommon, as well as a strange ‘brain fog’ where people find it difficult to remember what they are doing.

Of headaches, the study reported: “Having a headache is a very common symptom of Covid-19 for all age groups. On average, around seven in ten adults who are ill with Covid-19 will have a headache. It’s slightly less common in children, affecting around six in ten children.

“Around 15% of people who were ill with Covid-19 reported a headache as their only symptom.”

Of the top 20 reported, the 10 worst appear to be the following:

1. Headache
2. Sore throat
3. Joint pains
4. Chills
5. Fever
6. Dizziness
7. Brain fog
8. Muscle pains
9. Swollen glands
10. Chest pain

Most common Omicron symptoms

The NHS still lists the top three symptoms as a loss of taste or smell, a continuous cough and a high temperature as the three most common symptoms. This has not changed since the beginning of the pandemic in the UK.

While further research needs to take place, Omicron symptoms appear to be different and the ZOE Covid study has a list of the 20 most common symptoms reported by patients who spoke to them.

1. Runny nose
2. Headache
3. Fatigue
4. Sore throat
5. Sneezing

Symptoms affect people in different ways and people can expect to have a range of symptoms or none at all.

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.”