Unusual symptom of Omicron could be diarrhoea as Covid variant spreads across UK

THE Omicron variant is bringing up a number of unusual symptoms as it spreads across the UK – one of those could be a nasty case of diarrhoea.

With previous coronavirus strains like Delta, the symptoms were generally easier to identity such as a continuous cough, fever and a loss of taste and smell.

Omicron though has been harder to identify as it has been found to blend in with other symptoms of seasonal illnesses such as flu or the common cold.

The variant has also caused other concerns due to its high transmission rate.

The Center for Disease Control (CDC), based in the US, has now said people with Covid can have “a wide range of symptoms”.

This can range from a slightly blocked nose to breathing difficulties, with the latter needing urgent medical attention.

A string of positive studies show Omicron is milder than other strains, with data 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 and protect the NHS.

According to the CDC, if you have diarrhoea when you go to the toilet this could be a sign that you have the Omicron variant.

Although having diarrhoea has also been highlighted as a condition with other coronavirus strains.

People with compromised immune systems are the most likely to experience diarrhoea and other gastrointestinal symptoms, reports NBC Chicago.

John Hopkins Medicine indicates that around 20 per cent are likely to experience diarrhoea as a symptom shortly after becoming infected with the virus.

It is important to remember that this is not the only symptom with common signs being fatigue, breathing issues, muscle and body aches as well as headaches or a sore throat.

People should also be aware that diarrhoea is not just a possible symptom of Covid but also features in numerous medical conditions.

Earlier this month the most common signs of Omicron symptoms were revealed after sufferers logged their ailments in an extensive ZOE Covid Study - with the top five remaining as runny nose, headache, fatigue, sneezing and a sore throat.

But other symptoms in the top 20 includes hoarse voice, chills or shivers, brain fog, feeling dizzy, skipped meals and feeling down.

While Omicron currently might be the most prevalent people can still catch other strains.

The most common Covid symptom was loss of appetite, which affected 24 per cent of patients, according to the study published in the Lancet medical journal.

Nausea and acid reflux were reported by 18 per cent respectively, while diarrhoea affected 15 per cent of those recovering from Covid.

The less common symptoms included bloating, reported by 14 per cent of patients and belching, which was something that affected 10 per cent.

Vomiting was an issue for nine per cent, while stomach pain plagued seven per cent of those discharged from hospital after Covid.

Meanwhile, blood in the poo was a very rare side-effect that was reported by just two patients.