Brits have warned to look out for two new symptoms that could mean they have the latest strain of Covid-19.
In recent weeks, the UK has seen positivity rates for Covid-19 increasing in the run-up to Christmas and a strain of the reported 'Pirola' variant - JN.1 - has been rapidly spreading across the country.
The UK Health Security Agency sub-categorised it early last month (4 December) after its 'increasing prevalence within the UK and international data'.
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The virus has since produced two new symptoms according to the latest data from the Office for National Statistics.
Usual symptoms previously reported by people who contracted Covid, included a high temperature, a blocked or runny nose and headaches.
The two new ones reported by sufferers now include trouble sleeping and anxiety as well.
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In the most recent update of the Winter Coronavirus Infection Study, it said: "There has been an increase in prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in England and Scotland during the two weeks leading up to 13 December 2023."
It also added there were fewer people reporting a lack of taste and smell.
Professor of innate immunity at the University of Cambridge, Clare Bryant, states that people have become 'complacent' about Covid - despite 'lots of people having it at the moment'.
"There are lots of other germs around as well - flu is circulating and other colds," she said.
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Professor Nicolas Locker, a virologist at the Pirbright Institute, went on to add: "We're going to see a fairly large rise in cases this winter.
"Not because the newer JN.1 sub-lineage is more problematic or severe, but because we're losing our defences - protections afforded by our last set of boosters, and our immunity is waning."
According to the NHS, typical Covid-19 symptoms can include:
- a high temperature or shivering (chills) – a high temperature means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)
- a new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours
- a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste
- shortness of breath
- feeling tired or exhausted
- an aching body
- a headache
- a sore throat
- a blocked or runny nose
- loss of appetite
- diarrhoea
- feeling sick or being sick
While most people start to feel better within a few days or weeks of their first Covid-19 symptoms and make a full recovery within 12 weeks, for some people, it can be a more serious illness and their symptoms can last longer.
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If you have any concerns, you can always give 111 a quick ring for some advice.
Rhiannon Ingle