After the delta variant of COVID-19, Omicron emerged in the late November previous year. Infections of Omicron variant are still spreading around the world. This variant is milder than the delta variant but it is more contagious and transmissible i.e. it spreads more quickly. Anyone who is infected with Omicron can pass the virus to others despite not having the symptoms or being vaccinated. The difference between delta and omicron is that the omicron has killed a smaller proportion of people. But WHO has warned the concerned authorities as it is still hospitalizing the people and is more contagious.

According to different studies, the most common symptoms of omicron are runny nose, headache, sneezing, cough, and sore throat. Body aches and fatigue have also been reported. The point of concern is that the symptoms of Omicron previously mentioned look like common cold and people are unaware that they are having Omicron. Loss of sense of smell and fever have been reported less in most of the cases of the Omicron variant. Symptoms are also varying among people due to the status of vaccination and age. Vaccinated people are having less severe symptoms. Omicron variant symptoms are not aligning with the classic three symptoms of COVID. (Fever, Cough, and loss of sense of smell or taste). So people should be aware of common symptoms of Omicron that look like the common cold. According to the ZOE COVID Study app prevalence of Omicron symptoms is as follows:

Omicron Variant Symptoms - you need to know!

Anyone who is having symptoms of common cold should isolate and get themselves tested to confirm. Other than this everyone should follow the most important SOPs of wearing masks and maintaining social distance as prevention is always better than cure!