MANY people who have been infected with the Omicron variant have described the symptoms as being more cold-like.

It's for this reason that many people are missing Omicron infections as it can be mistaken for symptoms that are mostly associated with a winter cold.

Doctors have said that one of the first signs of Omicron can be detected in your throat.

A string of hugely positive studies show Omicron IS milder than other Covid strains, with the first official UK report revealing the risk of hospitalisation is 50 to 70 per cent lower than with Delta.

Covid booster jabs protect against Omicron and offer the best chance to get through the pandemic, health officials have repeatedly said.

The Sun's Jabs Army campaign is helping get the vital extra vaccines in Brits' arms to ward off the need for any new restrictions.

The NHS still state that the three main symptoms of coronavirus are a new persistent cough, a loss of taste and smell and a high temperature.

Data from the ZOE Symptom Tracker app shows that these symptoms are no longer the leading signs and doctors working in hospitals and monitoring Covid patients have evidence that says otherwise.

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Dr Jorge Moreno who works at an outpatient clinic in Connecticut, US and is an assistant professor of medicine at Yale School of Medicine, said that most patients coming in are reporting the same ailment.

He told Insider that most people testing positive have a dry, sore throat that causes sharp pain when they swallow.

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"It's a very prominent symptom. It's not like a little tickle in the throat. If they're reporting it, they're saying that their throat feels raw", he said.

Further analysis has shown that most people who get Omicron will suffer throat issues.

Data from an Omicron outbreak in Norway showed that 72 per cent of people who tested positive had a sore throat.

The patients said that the symptom last about three days.

Dr Moreno said for people who have been vaccinated the symptoms aren't as bad and that for most, the illness is like a mild cold.

He added: "A couple days later, they're ready to go back to exercising or doing their regular activity."

Data from the ZOE app shows people who catch the Omicron variant usually present with symptoms within 48 hours of catching the bug.

These include a runny nose, dry/scratchy throat, headache, fatigue and sneezing.

Lower back pain, muscle aches and night sweats are also key symptoms, and the lead on the study, King's College London's Professor Tim Spector, said people need to be aware that this has turned into a more 'cold-like' illness.

Experts at ZOE had previously compiled a list of the top 21 Covid symptoms – which rashes coming in at number 10.

As variants have progressed and changed this list has also changed, and the top symptoms to look out for are currently listed as:

• runny nose
• headache
• sneezing
• sore throat
• persistent cough
• fatigue
• loss of taste and smell

Experts have also warned that various skin rashes have also presented in people who contract Omicron.

People reporting symptoms say that they have experienced hives that come on suddenly.

It can show up in the form of raised bumps and is very itchy – it can often start with intense itchy palms or soles.

Infections, such as a virus like Covid can cause hives in some people, and are more common in children.

It's key to know though that a variety of infections, including the common cold, can prompt hives.

If you have any doubt about your symptoms then it's best to take a coronavirus test which will help you establish whether or not you need to isolate.

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