The Omicron variant of Covid-19 presents different symptoms to previous strains of the virus.
The ZOE Covid Study is a Covid surveillance study app that has been documenting information about the virus, such as how it presents in patients and where the hotspots are at any given time.
According to the study, cold-like symptoms such as a runny nose, scratchy throat, and sore head are more common in those with Omicron than patients sick with previous strains.
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The most common symptoms of the Alpha and Delta variants, meanwhile, included a persistent cough, fever, and the loss of sense of taste or smell.
As reported by the Daily Record, a new symptom has been recorded — and it's much more severe than those previously discovered.
What is the new uncommon symptom of Omicron?
According to a report in Germany, fainting may be a new sign of a Covid-19 infection.
Fainting is characterised as the loss of consciousness for a short time due to a temporarily insufficient supply of oxygen to the brain.
It is ordinarily caused by low blood flow, and now doctors in Berlin have discovered a link between the symptom and Covid-19.
A 35-year-old patient who visited an emergency department in the city following frequent fainting episodes was found to be infected with the virus.
According to German newspaper Ärztezeitung, doctors found "a clear connection" between Covid and the fainting spells.
This is also not the first time fainting has been reported as a symptom of Covid according to doctors, with it commonly appearing in long-Covid patients.
Research from Italy, Spain and Portugal further indicated that, from over 14,000 Covid patients, 4.2% reported fainting or the feeling of impending unconsciousness in the early stages of infection.
What are the main reported symptoms of Omicron?
Symptoms of Omicron have been quite different from the three classic signs of Covid that most people are used to. The common signs of Omicron according to the ZOE Covid study are:
- Dry/scratchy throat
- Runny nose
- Sneezing
- Mild muscle aches
- Fatigue
Besides fainting, some of the more unusual signs of the variant include congestion, brain fog, skin rashes, conjunctivitis, nausea or vomiting. Some people have also reported experiencing symptoms like sleep paralysis and night sweats as well.
The CDC also warned that one symptom requires urgent medical attention, asking people to keep an eye out for pale, grey or blue-coloured skin, lips or nail beds, which could indicate low levels of oxygen in the blood.
People who are unvaccinated may also experience symptoms like headaches and sore muscles more intensely according to Dr Anqelique Coetzee, who first raised the alarm on the new variant in southern Africa.
