Sore throat. However, protection against hospitalization and death have remained high, preventing millions of people from dying, WHO pointed out, Download the Mint app and read premium stories. She repeated earlier calls for people who have any flu- or cold-like symptoms to assume they have COVID "until proven otherwise. You may not lose your sense of . Morris said symptoms indicative of pneumonia or respiratory failure, like shortness of breath, chest pain, cough tend to show up later, between day five and 10. "I've told my own staff this, it's what I do myself if you are sick, even a little bit sick, stay home. " Researchers around the world are working tirelessly to learn everything they can about this newest iteration of the virus, which boasts a "Frankenstein mix" of mutations, including more than 30 on the all-important spike protein. Theirstudy, published inThe Lancet, also suggests that brain fog and dizziness are less prevalent in omicron cases. If you're not vaccinated or boosted, I certainly have a much higher concern that you could get infected. Sore, scratchy throat . But Passaretti has heard that people with BA.5 or Omicron may experience worse fevers and sore throats. 2. "And then you get other people infected.". Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. While vaccines reduced the impact of Omicron, they themselves were impacted: studies have shown that vaccine effectiveness against infection, disease, hospitalization and death waned (though at different rates) over time. Joint pain. WATCH | Tips for treatingyour Omicron symptoms: If you can, it's important to get vaccinated or boosted. AARP Membership LIMITED TIME FLASH SALE. ; And how to prevent infection by the BA.2.12.1 strain. These symptoms, also listed by the CDC, can make the omicron infection look like a common cold. A person is also considered contagious before symptoms appear. Infected people may then go to work or other gatherings and spread the virus. Still, for those who are vaccinated and boosted but are still looking to be cautious, Arwady said an additional test at seven days could help. Opinion: How did COVID-19 start? That's great data because it shows that vaccination is protective, not just against getting infected and ending up in the hospital and dyingall of which are really good benefitsbut also, your risk of getting long COVID is much lower if you are vaccinated, she said. How the Pandemic Will Be Different in 2022, Be sure to check the date on the box before you test yourself, Why COVID-19 Variants Have Greek Names, AARP Prescription Discounts provided by Optum Rx, Free Rx discount card for use at over 66,000 pharmacies nationwide, AARP Online Fitness powered by LIFT session, Customized workouts designed around your goals and schedule, SAVE MONEY WITH THESE LIMITED-TIME OFFERS. Health officials arenow recommendingthat everyone 12 and older get an updated booster shot thats designed to better target omicron and its subvariants. Other people may have muscle aches, fever and chills. A PCR test (short for polymerase chain reaction), administered at doctors offices or testing sites, can also confirm your suspicions. . It is a priority for CBC to create products that are accessible to all in Canada including people with visual, hearing, motor and cognitive challenges. In this article, you'll learn: Common symptoms associated with the BA.2.12.1 strain; a full list of potential COVID-19 symptoms; Does the latest Omicron subvariant spread faster than others? How to Protect Against the Omicron Variant, Expect new treatments, more testing and additional variants, Using letters of the alphabet simplifies tracking, Join AARP for just $9 per year when you sign up for a 5-year term -43% off the standard annual rate, Access exclusive discounts, programs, & services, Double down with a FREE second membership. Fever. According to the CDC, symptoms of Covid-19 include fever, shortness of breath, cough, loss of taste or . Even those who have suffered from Delta and Alpha variants had also complained of this symptom. The device monitors blood oxygen levels. Diarrhea. AARP Members Only Access to Special Health Content, Access AARP health Smart Guides, articles and special content. Starting the medications right away can significantly reduce your risks for being hospitalized with COVID-19. A passenger . The incubation period for Omicron is shorter compared to previous variants, and is about three days, saysOughton, an infectious diseases specialist at Jewish General Hospital in Montreal. A doctor and pharmacist say many treatments for common colds and flu will also be helpful for double-vaccinated adults who are recovering from COVID-19 at home. "[It's] harder to detect because people are like, 'I just have allergies. Of those, 220.2 million are fully vaccinated. But for the most part, most symptoms Rutherford was aware of were respiratory. Shortness of breath, difficulty breathing. Diarrhea; What is the COVID omicron variant? Read on to learn more about the newest Omicron subvariant and its most common symptoms. Patients often get COVID diarrhea after being infected with Delta or Omicron strains, even if they had two or three doses of vaccination. Its possible you have COVID-19 but took the test before the virus was detectable. Sore throat. From the symptoms to how it spreads, everything about this variant was different from its predecessors. Their data indicates that the five most reported Omicron symptoms are the same as those associated with Deltasymptoms that may be confused with the common cold, including runny nose, headache, fatigue, sneezing, and sore throat. While vaccine immunity helps lower the severity of infection, it doesnt offer complete protection. While health officials didn't know as of September 2022 how they might affect the population, the good news is that symptoms don't seem to be that much different or worse than with Omicron or other types of COVID-19. stuffy nose. Pfizer's trial found that about 52% of participants that received the BA.1 shot experienced mild pain at the injection site, 8% experienced moderate pain and only 0.3% experienced severe pain. Log in to our website to save your bookmarks. Dr. Rutherford estimated that the number of cases might be more than twice that reported. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In a White House press briefing, Dr. Walensky noted that people still need to be vigilant in staying up to date on COVID-19 vaccines and boosters. A new subvariant of the Omicron strain of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that leads to a COVID-19 diagnosis, has overtaken earlier variations (including "stealth" Omicron) to likely become the most viral variant here in the United States. Still, symptoms don't seem to be much different than for Omicron or other types of COVID-19 infection. A stuffy nose was reported by 78%. "The symptoms of the Omicron variant, which includes the BA.2 lineage, and the Delta variant, are similar," Erica Johnson, MD, . This means people are at a higher risk of reinfection. Mild or severe fatigue. It isnt always the case that a new version of the coronavirus brings about a new batch of symptoms. The CDC says to look for emergency warning signs for coronavirus. "This list is not all . From Delta to Omicron: Analysing the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in France using variant-specific screening tests (September 1 to December 18, 2021). Flashback: Gastrointestinal symptoms have been mentioned as possible symptoms before. Read on to learn what you need to know about the subvariants and how to stay healthy. Those who are boosted and vaccinated, or those who are fully vaccinated and not yet eligible for a booster shot, do not need to quarantine, but should wear masks for 10 days and also get tested five days after the exposure, unless they are experiencing symptoms. About 90% of those hospitalized are unvaccinated, he said. 1. "I think that people [are] having a very hard time wrapping their head around how much that Omicron has changed the rules of the game and how we have to change how we handle it in terms of our own individual risks, as well as our behaviour within a society," said Dr. Matthew Oughton, in an interview with Dr. Brian Goldman, host of CBC podcast The Dose. Health's content is for informational and educational purposes only. the risk really is very low.". As Gulick points out, getting booster shots is crucial. At Atrium Health hospitals, where Dr. Passarettti works, hospitalizations due to the BA.5 variant spiked in mid-2022. Let's delve deeper to understand this: Zoe COVID app, which keeps track of COVID symptoms through positive patients using the app, notified that most Omicron patients complain of diarrhea. Audience Relations, CBC P.O. "We know that vaccine effectiveness against severe disease and death remains high for other Omicron [types] and likely also for BA.4 and 5," Walensky said. By submitting a comment, you accept that CBC has the right to reproduce and publish that comment in whole or in part, in any manner CBC chooses. Sore throat. Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. "We have also crossed the grim milestone of 1 million American lives lost to COVID.". The most commonly-reported symptoms with the original Omicron variant were cough, fatigue, headache, congestion, and runny nose. A multicenter study in 2022 looked at 1672 hospitalized COVID-19 positive . The Washington State Department of Health reported on Jan. 26 that 60 percent of Omicron patients reported having a headache, making it one of the most-common symptoms of the variant. All rights reserved, Judge: Oxford Schools, Staff Immune From Lawsuits Stemming From Michigan School Shooting, CTA Continues Efforts to Adapt Electric Buses to Winter's Challenges, how long should you quarantine with covid, New Ranking Names Most Expensive Cities In Illinois and These Chicago Suburbs Top the List, Chicago Suburb Lands on List of Happiest Places to Live,' Another Midwest City Makes Top 10, Stomach Bug Cases Surging, Sending People to Emergency Rooms in Chicago Area, Inmate Beaten to Death in Maximum Security Wing of Cook County Jail, Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, Pale, gray, or blue-colored skin, lips, or nail beds, depending on skin tone. The Omicron coronavirus variant is very transmissible, making it likely you or someone you know will catch it. She notes they can also be purchased online. Runny nose. And while many people who have come down with an omicron infection dodged serious COVID-19 complications, its important to note that omicron is not mild for everyone. If someone is showing any of these signs, seek emergency medical care immediately: Trouble breathing Please enable Javascript in your browser and try "People have to understand, if they feel sick, we don't want them not coming to the emergency department because they're scared. Here's a full list of known, potential COVID-19 symptoms for any individual, according to the CDC: Cough. But notably, in those clinical trials, the severity of the side effects was very mild. Zoe COVID apps data showed, one in five patients gets COVID diarrhea after being infected with Delta or Omicron strains, even if they had two or three doses of vaccination. Intelligence agencies have mixed opinions. The U.S. CDC has highlighted the variety of Covid symptoms that have been reported, noting "anyone can have mild to severe symptoms" that may appear two to 14 days after exposure to the virus . Previously she was a reporter and editor for WTOP Radio in Washington, D.C. A recipient of a Gracie Award and a regional Edward R. Murrow Award, she also participated in a dementia fellowship with the National Press Foundation. In the world of infectious disease and epidemiology, mild doesnt always mean sniffles; the marker of a mild disease is whether or not people end up in the hospital. Why Are There So Many Omicron SubvariantsAnd What Can They Tell Us About the Future of the Pandemic? Diarrhea was slightly more . Flashback: Gastrointestinal symptoms have been mentioned as possible symptoms before. Javascript must be enabled to use this site. "If your heart [is] missing beats or skipping beats or if your heart's really racing, those would be the other warning signs that really should be taken very seriously," he said. Omicron appears to be continuing the trend set by Delta. How to treat yourself at home if you get COVID-19, Why COVID-19 hospitalizations of Canadian kids and infants could keep rising as Omicron spreads. Seventy-four percent reported fatigue. People need to get their booster shots for the most protection. Your session has expired, please login again. And like COVID-19, the influenza vaccine can help prevent serious flu complications from ever occurring. "If you had an exposure, you're vaccinated and boosted, I don't think that there is any need to be testing, frankly, past about seven days," she said. Read our, Experts Explain How COVID-19 May Be Causing New Cases of Diabetes, Too Soon to Tell If Omicron Will Create More Long COVID, What You Need to Know About the XBB.1.5 'Kraken' Variant. A Division of NBC Universal. "It is clear that the disproportionate share of infections are those that are weathered at home," she says. Editor's Note: This story, originally published Jan. 10, 2022, has been updated to reflect new information. "If you have the luxury of a living arrangement where you can have your own sleeping quarters and bathroom and ideally, sort of a sectioned off area of the house, I guess that's ideal," saidOughton. "This list is not all possible symptoms," the CDC states. 8. In case you cant find any email from our side, please check the spam folder. Early infection symptoms that are commonly being noted with these particular infections may have something to do with that, explains Dr. Huang. You're only eligible for the new boosters if you've completed a primary vaccination series, meaning most people will have already received at least two doses ahead of time. Vomiting. Omicron has become the dominant variant of the coronavirus in the U.S. Our understanding of the variant continues to evolve, but we know more about Omicron now than we did when it first appearedincluding its symptoms. More than 1 million prescriptions for these antiviral pills were filled at pharmacies between Dec. 23, 2021, and May 21, 2022,a CDC report shows. If you suspect Omicron infection, be sure to get tested as soon as possible. By Laura Hensley Will BA.2 Cause Another COVID Wave in the U.S.? Cough. This is a subscriber only feature Subscribe Now to get daily updates on WhatsApp. I'm going to work,'" Dr. Passaretti said. For . Antibodies From Vaccines vs. Antibodies From Natural Infection, How Vaccine Makers Are Tackling the Omicron Variant. 2022. doi:10.1101/2021.12.31.21268583, Arnold CG, Monte AA, Littlefield K, Vest A, Palmer BE. Listen. In earlier variants, infection caused more harm to the lungs. Dr. Oughton says other warning signs include persistent fever that lasts at least two days, if not more, and heart palpitations. Stage three is when early symptoms start to pop up, like lower back ache, night sweats and a scratchy throat. What kind of symptoms does this highly contagious variant present, you may wonder? Those who are unvaccinated, however, are experiencing similar symptoms to early on in the pandemic, Arwady said. Here's what we know about what a BA.4 or BA.5 infection can look like and whether symptoms are any more severe than other COVID-19 strains. Sign up now:Get smarter about your money and career with our weekly newsletter, Get Make It newsletters delivered to your inbox, Learn more about the world of CNBC Make It, 2023 CNBC LLC. If someone else in your household has tested positive or has symptoms, it's probably safe to assume you do, too. sore throat. 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. Those shots were never released to the public, because BA.1 was quickly surpassed by other omicron subvariants but their design is extremely similar to the shots now available at pharmacies and clinics nationwide. "I think if you're being extra careful there, if you wanted to test again, you know, at seven even, sometimes people look at three to get an earlier sense of things. Diarrhea. pic.twitter.com/VDB1VghCFn, Rochelle Walensky, MD, MPH (@CDCDirector) April 27, 2022, Dr. Huang adds that hospitalizations have remained low and it may be because Americans simply aren't aware they're dealing with a bonafide SARS-CoV-2 infection. If youre unsure if you have a cold or COVID, get tested as soon as possible. Both subvariants spread more quickly, maybe because people don't realize they are sick with the virus. Remove some to bookmark this image. Viral Immunology. Muscle pain. Vaccination hesitancy and postacute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2: Is it time to reconsider? 5, 2022. Marketplace also found some N95s held up better than others in testing. In the case of gastrointestinal illness, a doctor should be consulted, and a test should be administered immediately. So far, research shows that its more transmissible and causes less severe disease than earlier variants, like Delta. Some symptoms of Omicron infection include fever, dry cough, runny nose, aches and pains, nausea and diarrhea. But if you have taken one at five and it's negative and you're feeling good, chances are very good that you're not going to have any more issues there," she said. For healthy people with two or three doses of vaccine the symptoms are fairly mild and tend to be over within a few days from when people tested positive, says Dr. Erin O'Connor. And theyre hiding a horrifying secret. "This variant is about 25% more contagious than the original Omicron variant that entered the U.S. last fall seemingly accounting for about 40% of current cases," she tells Good Housekeeping. nausea or vomiting. "So, staying up to date on your COVID-19 vaccines provides the best protection against severe outcomes.". Digestive symptoms sometimes develop before a fever and respiratory symptoms. Severe side effects are "generally" most common after receiving a second dose of a vaccine, not after receiving a third or fourth dose, says Offit. Together, the evidence shows a potential roadmap for the side effects you can expect after getting one of the new boosters, and how severe those side effects might be. Like the other Omicron strains that have been dominant in the U.S. since December 2021, experts say BA.4 and BA.5 mainly cause cold-like symptoms and respiratory or breathing issues. Why are more workers returning to the office in Asia and Europe than the U.S.? With some omicron cases, particularly breakthrough infections in those who are boosted and vaccinated, remaining mild, many are wondering how to tell if it's a cold, the flu or COVID-19. "Other early symptoms are sneezing, or a runny nose both of these often cause infected individuals to think they are suffering from allergies or a mild cold, which they hope is not COVID. "The vaccines will most likely remain effective with BA.2.12.1, as they were intended to prevent severe COVID and hospitalization but not for preventing infection [outright].". again. We want them to seek the appropriate medical care," she said. Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. We reserve the right to close comments at any time. Rules and guidance around what to do are changing rapidly, but there are a few key things you need to know right now. Laura Hensley is an award-winning lifestyle journalist who has worked in some of the largest newsrooms in Canada. "If you want to be extra careful, you can do it at 10, but just with what we're seeing, I would consider you really in the clear. Still, CDC data showed the most common symptoms so far are cough, fatigue, congestion and a runny nose. New confusion. A new variant of SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19), B.1.1.529 (Omicron) ( 1 ), was first reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) by South Africa on November 24, 2021. Aside from classic Covid-19 symptoms, according to Dr. Singh, some of the distinguishing symptoms of the Omicron variant are: runny nose. The same concept held true during the last round of booster shots. At the same time, even with over 500 subvariants circulating, Omicron cousins have few things in common, they are all highly transmissible, replicate in the upper respiratory tract and they all have mutations that make them escape built-up immunity more easily. World health leaders are warning that omicron, the new COVID variant discovered in November, could cause "severe consequences. These were: a persistent cough, runny nose, fatigue, sore throat, headache, muscle pain, fever and sneezing. "There's been an increase in the rate of COVID cases in the U.S. recently, currently above 80,000 [new] cases per day," he says, adding that it's dramatically less than the 800,000+ cases per day noted at the start of 2022. That said, lots of different factors can affect the severity of symptoms, the CDC says, and vaccination status is one of them. Not only are the symptoms from a BA.4 and BA.5 infection similar to other Omicron variants, but they also seem to have a similar severity, Dr. Passaretti and Dr. Rutherford said. Wearing a mask is not really that hard; getting a vaccine and getting a booster is, for most people now, fairly accessible, she said. ", Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. Even if Omicron can feel like "just a cold to those fully vaccinated, it is much more transmissible. Other symptoms may show up with the newer strains, George Rutherford, MD, a professor of epidemiology at the University of California, San Francisco, told Health. Still, omicron appears to cause less severe illness than previous variants, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes. Previously common symptoms such as shortness of breath, fever and loss of smell fell down the rankings. An increase in new cases is being linked to common symptoms related to this highly contagious variant, which may be indistinguishable from other seasonal conditions this spring. Also, opt for outdoor activities over indoor ones, and if transmission rates are high in your area, weara maskin indoor public places. "Initial symptoms appear to be related to a scratchy or sore throat, often quite mild," she says. Omicron BA.5 May Increase the Risk of Outdoor TransmissionHere's How to Stay Safe. Others experience no symptoms at all. Loss of appetite. "You should get tested for COVID-19 if you develop any of the 11 known COVID symptoms," says Dr . . But if your oxygen levels drop and you start to feel dizzy or short of breath, you may need to get treatment for COVID-19 at a hospital. People who are mixing socially and those who are unvaccinated are more susceptible to contracting COVID-19. "They may only feel like they have a cold," she said. Common upper respiratory symptoms associated with omicron include the following: Cough. In case you contract COVID, diarrhea can hit you on the first day of your infection and might increase in intensity during the first week of illness. "Omicron, [meanwhile,] is less . Get a FREE subscription to AARP The Magazine. Anyone exhibiting symptoms should get tested for COVID-19. pic.twitter.com/MK9wK8GdwB. Babcock says Omicron hasnt been around long enough yet to have a good sense of whether it is different from earlier variants when it comes to the likelihood of lingering symptoms. In the fall of 2022, experts weren't sure how severely the Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants would affect the U.S. population. Looks like you have exceeded the limit to bookmark the image. Is your N95-style mask failing you? They may be all equally severe or present different . "Please call your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you." Individuals over the age of 50 or those considered to be clinically immunocompromised are encouraged to seek out a second booster dose of an mRNA vaccine now to keep infection risks low. Vaccination hesitancy and postacute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2: Is it time to reconsider? COVID-19 cases have been on the rise in the U.S., driven by an uptick in infections caused by the BA.2.12.1 subvariant most of which may not be diagnosed as early as possible due to a lack of testing, explains Sachin Nagrani, M.D., medical director at care provider Heal. 2021;34(10):666-668. doi:10.1089/vim.2021.0126. "Especially in people who we're seeing these more mild breakthrough infections, we are definitely seeing sore throat be a predictor in that group," Arwady said. Moderna's monovalent shot contains 50 micrograms of mRNA per dose targeting the original strain. Fatigue, or muscle and body aches. Fatigue. CDC recommends the first COVID-19 booster. Sneezing. The Omicron variant is the most transmissible variant to date for all age groups, including both adults and children. O'Connor says that many emergency departments across Canada are offering virtual consultations, and she suggests people try that first before coming to hospital. muscle aches, lethargy, and even on some occasions diarrhea and nausea, he said. JACKSONVILLE, Fla. Omicron cases on the . When search suggestions are available use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. "And in that five-to-seven-day window, you know, there's some depending on whether people have been vaccinated, underlying conditions, etc., but the risk drops a lot and the feeling is that in the general population, combined with masking, etc. But if you're gonna do it once do it in five and I feel good about that.". Inability to wake or stay awake. Many are asking these questions as omicron cases surge nationwide and as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention update their quarantine and isolation guidelines, which now differ depending on whether or not you have a symptomatic infection. Rapid antigen tests may be just as hard to find. Babcock says that new data shows that people who were vaccinated and got infected with a previous variant of the virus had a much lower risk of long COVID than unvaccinated people who got infected. The potential for the virus to be transmitted via the fecal-oral route presents additional challenges for areas . According to the American Medical Association (AMA), the most common symptoms of BA.5 are: Fever. That would still be considered a mild infection it could be a more significant illness, but just not severe enough to end up in the hospital.. Others include headaches, muscle aches, runny nose, sneezing, nausea and loss of appetite. Persistent pain or pressure in the chest. He also says that on top of vaccines, its important people wear masks, practice social distancing and avoid indoor crowds whenever possible. Oughton is mindful many places across Canada may be experiencing cold weather, so open windows may be a limited solution. I have seen some cases of reinfection with people who had a BA.2 variant in the last few months, he added. Check with your local health center or testing site (find one oncovid.gov/tests) many are offering them for free. CBC Marketplace tested KN95 and KF94 masks sold online and at big box stores. Here's a full list of known, potential COVID-19 symptoms for any individual, according to the CDC: Shortness of breath, difficulty breathing. Peter Gulick, DO, an associate professor of medicine at Michigan State University, told Verywell that the symptoms of Omicron mainly remain in the upper respiratory tract and can include a sore throat, congestion, runny nose and headache. While the research continues to evolve, so far, it shows that vaccinated people are less likely to go on and have long COVID.
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