Why you might have Omicron without realising

The most common Covid symptoms have changed over the past two years, and this is why you could be infected and not even know.

With thousands of new infections every day in Australia, a lack of understanding of Omicron’s symptoms could be spreading the Covid variant even more.

From those first days in the pandemic, we have seen many different mutations – and the symptoms have also altered along with the virus.

While initially it caused a loss of smell or taste, that isn’t as usual with Omicron.

Only 13 per cent of people with Omicron experience a loss of smell or taste, according to the UK Health and Security Agency, The Sun reports.

That compares with 34 per cent of those with Delta, and around half of those with the original strain.

People who test positive to Covid are experiencing different symptoms with Omicron than with other variants. Picture: Javier Torres/AFP

A sore throat is more common in those with Omicron, affecting more than half of those infected.

UK pharmacist Phil Day said: “There are some new symptoms that seem to be associated with the Omicron variant and which might be overlooked as being potentially Covid-related.

“Some of these are similar symptoms to those of a common cold, such as a headache or a sore throat.

“However evidence is emerging that some other symptoms could be linked to Omicron infection, such as a loss of appetite, nausea and back pain.

“While it should be clear that not every case of nausea or back pain is going to be linked to Covid, it would be sensible for people to be aware of these potential symptoms.”

He added that if you were in any doubt about your Covid status, to do a test.

Runny nose, headache and fatigue are among the top symptoms of Omicron infection. Picture: Punit Paranjpe/AFP

All of the following symptoms have been highlighted as the top 20 reported in people with Covid currently.

The UK’s ZOE Covid Symptom Study, which tracks symptoms reported by people with Covid, has found headache, runny nose, fatigue, sneezing and sore throat were the most reported symptoms from app users with positive tests.

Here is the full list of the 20 most common symptoms.

1. Runny nose

2. Headache

3. Fatigue

4. Sore throat

5. Sneezing

6. Persistent cough

7. Hoarse voice

8. Other

9. Unusual joint pains

10. Chills or shivers

11. Fever

12. Dizzy

13. Eye soreness

14. Brain fog

15. Unusual muscle pains

16. Altered smell

17. Skipped meals

18. Swollen glands

19. Chest pain

20. Earache

This article originally appeared on The Sun and was reproduced with permission