The omicron variant brought the coronavirus cases up when 2022 hit the calendar. Due to the experiences and studies over the new version of COVID-19, we gained data on the symptoms when one is infected.

Omicron has different symptoms than regular fever, loss of taste and smell, and cough.

Most of the time, people forget that the impacts of COVID-19 can exceed from having a runny nose, headache, and sore throat. Loss of appetite is the main difference betwen omicron and delta variants, so we will skip that.

Here are the five unusual omicron symptoms, you surely do not expect.

1. Vomiting and Diarrhea

Feeling sick and frequent visits to the restroom could also be a sign of omicron. ZOE COVID Study expert Tim Spector said in The Sun report that the new variant tends to dwell on the gut instead of the nose.

When an individual is infected with omicron and experiences gut symptoms, the test for the coronavirus may result in negative due to the scarcity of traces present in both the mouth and nose.

ALSO READ: FDA Delays Approval of Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine For Kids Under 5 Years Old [Explainer]

The first cases of COVID-19 infiltrated the mouth and nose down to the respiratory system. Omicron may also attack the gut region, leaving undetected traces of the infection for a long period of time and leading to what we know as long-COVID.

2. Night Sweats

Patients of the coronavirus are reportedly suffering from night sweats. The experience causes intense perspiration during sleep, even if the room has an average or colder temperature.

National Health Service (NHS), University of Leeds School of Medicine, and University of Bradford expert Amir Khan said that the symptom could escalate to drenching night sweats, right to the point where the patient has to change their clothes.

(Photo : Elle Hughes from Pexels)

3. Back Pain

Back pain is among the early warning signs confirmed in December last year. However, the ZOE COVID Study application did not detect it from participants until this month.

Last week, 20 percent of coronavirus patients reported lower back pain.

Spector said that the increase of back pain reports made the group add it as one of the symptoms. 

4. Eye Problems

The World Health Organization has listed eye irritation as a less common symptom of COVID-19.

Irritated eyes could root from a single or a combination of symptoms such as:

  1. Red eyes
  2. Itchy eyes
  3. Sore eyes
  4. Discharge
  5. Blurred vision
  6. Conjunctivitis
  7. Light sensitivity

Compared to eye problems, the NHS still considers the loss of taste and smell, cough, and high body temperature as key signs of the coronavirus.

5. Confusion

Confusion is the most unusual symptom of the omicron variant, and people must be vigilant about this condition.

Medical specialists suggest getting an immediate consultation when they experience this.

The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) tagged confusion as an "emergency warning sign." The agency also advises seeking professional help as soon as confusion is observed.

Alongside confusion, CDC advises that individuals with persistent pain in the chest, who have difficulty breathing, experience frequent drowsiness, and have pale or blue parts of the body (lip, skin, and nail beds) should request urgent medical assistance.

RELATED ARTICLE: Why Does Omicron Spread Faster Than Other COVID-19 Variants? Here is the Answer


Check out more news and information on COVID-19 in Science Times.