All the key symptoms of Omicron to look for - and how to tell if you're infected

Covid measures are being tightened in the UK as Omicron cases continue to climb.

Mandatory face masks have been reintroduced in indoor venues in England, bringing the country in line with guidance in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and Covid passes will now be required to enter nightclubs and large venues.

The UK government is also urging all adults to get their booster vaccine, with the aim of offering a top-up dose to everyone who is eligible by 31 December.

The six month gap between the second dose and a booster has been cut to just three months in a bid to speed up vaccinations and boost immunity levels over winter.

But what are the key symptoms of Omicron and how can you tell if you are infected? Here’s what you need to know.

What are the symptoms of Omicron?

Findings on Omicon currently indicate that for most people the variant only causes “mild illness”, although it is possible that some people may experience symptoms that are more severe.

Dr Angelique Coetzee, a private practitioner and chair of South African Medical Association, who first spotted the new variant said that while patients have so far had “extremely mild symptoms”, more time is needed to fully understand the effect it could have on vulnerable people.

Patients have also reported symptoms that differ slightly to those linked to the Delta variant, according to Dr Coetzee.

The symptoms that have been linked to the Omicron variant so far include:

• Fatigue
• Body aches and pains
• Headache
• Scratchy throat
• Runny nose
• Sneezing
• Night sweats
• Dry cough
• Fever

Unlike other Covid-19 variants, Omicron has not yet been linked to a loss of taste or smell, which is one of the three key symptoms associated with the original coronavirus strain.

How do I know if I have Omicron?