Scores of children are testing positive for COVID as the omicron variant surges worldwide.
There is some good news, however. Early research indicates the variant is causing less severe illness overall and children are especially unlikely to become seriously ill. There are some common symptoms, however, for children who are diagnosed with omicron.
Medical experts told Business Insider the most common symptoms reported by children were tiredness, sneezing, coughing and sore throat.
The ZOE COVID-19 study, which uses self-reported symptoms to track COVID, backed that up, but added to the list for symptoms in kids ages 12 months to 8 years old. The study reported the most common symptoms for children were:
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Sore throat
- Runny nose
- Sneezing
- Fever
- Cough
Less common symptoms were gastrointestinal problems, such as diarrhea, and rashes.
READ MORE:
Alabama nears 100 pediatric COVID hospitalizations as omicron surge continues
Biden free N95 masks: How to get your free mask; when will they be distributed?
Omicron symptoms to watch for if you are fully vaccinated
Most common symptoms experienced by adults
Similar omicron symptoms have also been reported by adults. Using the ZOE study, here are omicron symptoms ranked by the percentage of patients reporting them:
- Runny nose: 73%.
- Headache: 68%.
- Fatigue: 64%.
- Sneezing: 60%.
- Sore throat: 60%.
- Persistent cough: 44%.
- Hoarse voice: 36%.
- Chills or shivers: 30%.
- Fever: 29%.
- Dizziness: 28%.
- Brain fog: 24%.
- Muscle pains: 23%.
- Loss of smell: 19%.
- Chest pain: 19%.
