The most common symptoms of the new Covid-19 strain have been revealed in a new survey by the Office for National Statistics - and are different from the original virus.
People with the more infectious variant are more likely to develop classic" symptoms such as a cough, sore throat, tiredness and muscle pain, the study says.
Figures suggest they are also less likely to report a loss of taste and smell while there is no evidence of differences headaches, shortness of breath or gastrointestinal symptoms.
This differs from the three official symptoms listed by the NHS for the original strain which are a high temperature, a new and continuous cough, and a loss or change to the sense of smell or taste.
Most people with coronavirus have at least one of the three "main" symptoms, according to the NHS website.
The provisional findings were published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), based on the regular Covid-19 infection survey of people in private households in England, reports MirrorOnline.
Symptoms were self-reported and not professionally diagnosed, and cover the period November 15 to January 16.
Those taking part were asked if they had experienced a range of possible symptoms in the seven days before they were tested and also separately whether they felt that they had symptoms compatible with Covid-19 infection in the last seven days.
The ONS said: "The largest differences in reported symptoms between the new variant compatible positives and those not compatible with the new UK variant were found in cough, sore throat, fatigue and myalgia.
"People testing positive compatible with the new UK variant were more likely to report any symptoms and the classic symptoms, but were less likely to report loss of taste and smell.
"There was no evidence of difference in the percentages reporting gastrointestinal symptoms."
For the purposes of the survey, the ONS placed symptoms into four categories:
- Any: all reported symptoms, including reporting symptoms compatible with Covid-19 while not naming specific symptoms
- Classic: cough, fever, shortness of breath, loss of taste or loss of smell
- Gastrointestinal (GI): abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea
- Loss of taste or smell only
The new UK variant emerged in September in the South East and London, fuelling a surge in cases that led to the second wave of the virus and the second national lockdown in England.
It has become the dominant strain in the UK and last week Prime Minister Boris Johnson said early evidence suggests it may be more deadly.
Experts said there were uncertainties in the new data and it was still "too early" to say whether the mutant strain is deadlier.
Vaccines such as the Moderna jab appear to be effective against the Kent variant, according to early studies.
Mr Johnson told reporters last week: "In addition to spreading more quickly, it also now appears that there is some evidence that the new variant - the variant that was first identified in London and the south east - may be associated with a higher degree of mortality.
"It's largely the impact of this new variant that means the NHS is under such intense pressure."
The new variant is one of a number of strains to recently emerge and worry experts. Others have been detected in South Africa and Brazil.
Meanwhile, the ONS infection survey, which emerged a day after the UK's coronavirus death toll passed 100,000, also found:
- There is evidence that the percentage testing positive for coronavirus has decreased in non-patient facing job roles but increased amongst those in patient-facing roles in England.
- The number of socially distanced and physical contacts that adults and school age children had with people outside their household decreased in January 2021.
- Of those in school Year 12 to 24-years-old, the highest percentage testing positive was among those who are employed.