New loss of taste or smell. The variant has also caused other concerns due to its high transmission rate. "You should get tested for COVID-19 if you develop any of the 11 known COVID symptoms," says Dr . What Is a COVID-19 Breakthrough Infection? If You've Never Had COVID Are You More Susceptible to Variants? 679215 Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF. Cases of the Omicron COVID-19 variant continue to sweep across the country. "Even if you think it's just allergies, it would be best for you to go ahead and get a COVID test and make sure you don't have it before you go to work or school or church, because those symptoms can be very mild," said S. Wesley Long, medical director of diagnostic microbiology at Houston Methodist hospital, this week. The Sun'sJabs Armycampaign is helping get the vital extra vaccines in Brits' arms to ward off the need for any new restrictions and protect the NHS. 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"One should test for Covid if you have abdominal complaints even without respiratory symptoms or fever as this could be due to Omicron infection," he added. So does Omicron cause stomach pain . Runny nose. The best way to protect yourself against COVID-19 (including an Omicron-induced infection!) Congestion or runny nose. So far as many as 25 symptoms have been reported by people who have been infected with it. If you have children who are eligible, it may be best to prioritize getting them vaccinated also. stuffy nose. The original omicron causes a dropped signal or marker on the test that sets it apart from delta, which was the dominant variant prior to omicron. Anyone can have mild to severe symptoms. The symptoms can come on without the more typical and recognized markers of a coronavirus infection, such as fever and cough, the doctor said. For those with Johnson & Johnson who were not boosted, he wrote the . In the December 17, 2021, issue of Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released an analysis of the first 43 cases of the Omicron variant that were reported in the U.S. That research showed that the most commonly reported symptoms among those patients were cough, fatigue, and congestion or runny nose. Dr. Katherine Poehling, a member of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, told NBC News on Wednesday that the prominent symptoms of an Omicron infection are: Unlike previous variants, loss of taste and smell seems to be uncommon, she said. For instance, in both the Moderna and Pfizer trials, the most common side effects were pain at the injection site, fatigue and headache. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19: This Kind of Fat is Most Dangerous, Say Experts, Expert Shares Tips For Reversing Your Arthritis, This Common Habit Makes Your Dementia Risk Soar, Most People Get Diabetes This Way, Experts Say, Assume you have COVID if you have these symptoms, and get tested. Try and maintain good hydration, eat frequent, small, wholesome and light meals including nuts. "It does seem that [Omicron] symptoms may be more mild issues like scratchy throat, fatigue or headache compared to more severe symptoms such as fever and respiratory failure. Data from the ZOE COVID Study app found that those infected during the Omicron wave were 25% less likely to be admitted to the hospital than patients infected during the Delta wave. Based on the CDC's genomic surveillance, the BA.2 or stealth Omicron subvariant is responsible for most new SARS-CoV-2 infections in the U.S. BA.2 is a subvariant of the original SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant (B.1.1.529), along with BA.1.1 and BA.3. 2 Omicron Symptoms In Country Where It Originated, According to South Africa's biggest private health insurer, South Africans with an Omicron infection often develop. But other symptoms in the top 20 includes hoarse voice, chills or shivers, brain fog, feeling dizzy, skipped meals and feeling down. On December 1, 2021just a few days after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared it a variant of concernthe Omicron variant made its debut in the U.S. with its first confirmed case. A Top Derm Explains, 35 of the Smartest Fast-Food Choices You Can Make, Easy Brain Exercises to Boost Your Memory, Why We Should All Be Eating More Buckwheat. Even though the threats possessed by the newly-identified subvariant is yet to be known, researchers are constantly studying it to understand its symptoms, severity and other critical factors. Shortness of breath/difficulty breathing. In its early days, the variant caused an alarming spike in COVID-19 cases in South Africathey went from 300 a day in mid-November 2021 to 3,000 a day at the end of that month. Some of the new symptoms of covid-19 include nausea, abdominal ache, vomiting, loss of appetite and diarrhoea. So, when their fever didn't resolve after a few days, they took a COVID-19 test and found out they were positive. Expert studies have shown that the risk of severe illness from Covid-19 is reduced by 90 percent or more among people who are fully vaccinated. These boosters may better protect against COVID-19 infections with the variants currently circulating specifically BA.4 and BA.5. Plus, it's still not yet clear whether Omicron truly causes "milder" symptoms than other strains. Covid booster jabs protect against Omicron and offer the best chance to get through the pandemic, health officials have repeatedly said. It's faster than with delta or alpha. " 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. According to the American Medical Association (AMA), the most common symptoms of BA.5 are: Fever. While headaches, dizziness, and confusion are common symptoms of the virus, AARP detailed an alarming side effect reported by some people who were diagnosed. Muscle or body aches. 1 These May Be The Primary Symptoms of Omicron. sore throat. ALSO READ: Recovered from Omicron? Muscle aches. Sneezing. Diarrhea can occur for many reasons - an infection (either viral or bacterial), a food intolerance, a reaction to medications or a chronic disease (IBS or Crohn's disease). They may have had vomiting or diarrhea. With other variants, like Delta, vaccines have remained effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalizations, and death. People with compromised immune systems are the most likely to experience diarrhoea and other gastrointestinal symptoms, reports NBC Chicago. Read on. Omicron vs. Delta: How the 2 COVID-19 Variants Compare, Omicron Infection Timeline: When Symptoms Start and How Long They Last, Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 Symptoms: What To Know. This is a subscriber only feature Subscribe Now to get daily updates on WhatsApp. Though someone infected with Covid may not experience any of the following symptoms, it's important to be aware that they could be signs of an infection. Symptoms of the Omicron variant typically mimic cold symptoms, including congestion, coughing, and fatigue. Another study published in October 2020 pointed out that even with the initial COVID wave in Wuhan, China, about 12% of a group of coronavirus patients reported nausea and 10% reported vomiting. Just because Omicron may spread at a faster rate than earlier diseases, Dr. Kman stresses that it doesn't mean those who are impacted by this specific virus will have worse COVID-19 symptoms automatically. Sore throat. Fatigue may be more closely associated with Omicron infections currently, but it's still a hallmark clue for any COVID-19 infection and should be discussed with your healthcare provider since it may be mistaken for a common cold or occasions like suffering through a hangover. By now it's a known fact that Omicron BA.2 spreads faster than the previously identified subvariant BA.1. And, if there is another Omicron surge, then we will see more of BA.2 next time. Unlike previous variants, loss of taste and smell seems to be uncommon, she said. But, depending on your individual risk factors for severe disease and the level of coronavirus transmission in your area, you may want to go ahead and get it sooner anyway. During both weeks, the top five symptoms people reported were runny nose, headache, fatigue, sneezing, and sore throat. Current vaccines are expected to protect against severe illness, hospitalizations, and deaths due to infection with the Omicron variant. That, he says, may help explain why its spreading so quickly around the world. Diarrhea. Download the Mint app and read premium stories. "Mutations may make [SARS-CoV-2] enter your cells or replicate more quickly, but it still gives you the same illness once inside your body," he says, adding that variants are expected to remain consistent with a suite of symptoms noted below in the future. 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. New COVID Variants May Fuel a Winter SurgeWhat to Know About BQ.1, XBB, and Others, XBB.1.5: What to Know About the 'Most Transmissible' COVID Subvariant Yet, The COVID-19 Delta Variant: Everything We Know About It, What You Should Know About BA.2, a SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Variant, Omicron Variant's Incubation Period Is About 3 DaysWhat That Means, Experts Explain Why Its a Bad Idea to Purposely Get COVID Since Omicron Seems Milder. So how do you tell if your cough or sore throat is a cold or COVID? ", RELATED: Expert Shares Tips For Reversing Your Arthritis, 5 It is Possible to Avoid Getting Omicron, Taking precautions like wearing a mask, social distancing and getting vaccinated helps prevent catching Omicron. Although . We must act together to address current cases and prepare for the possibility of more Omicron https://t.co/3ln8b8QlAD. "Every patient I've seen with Covid that's had a 3rd 'booster' dose has had mild symptoms. Nausea or vomiting. Nausea. Sign up for Yahoo Lifes daily newsletter, Warning Signs You Have "Too Much Fat," Say Experts, Things to Never Do After Age 40, Say Health Experts, This Makes You "Most Likely" to Die of COVID, Says Experts, Women who had ovarian cysts share their stories, A sugar replacement may be linked to heart attacks and strokes, but don't throw it out yet. Sore throat. Muscle or body aches. * Avoid eating outside food and even if you are vaccinated, maintain all covid safety protocol. Startup offering ozempic surges with controversial ads, Japan to launch 2 new work visas J-FIND and J-SKIP next Hubble captures a time-lapse movie of DART collision: NASA. Here's what we know so far about the symptoms of the Omicron variant, according to research and infectious disease experts. diarrhea. Participants also reported muscle and joint aches, fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, swollen lymph nodes, and redness and pain at the injection site. Log in to our website to save your bookmarks. Kashif J. Piracha, MD, FACP, FASN, FNKF, is a practicing physician at Methodist Willowbrook Hospital. Unlike earlier variants like delta that affected the lungs, omicron and its subvariants tend to cause more upper respiratory symptoms . Copyright HT Digital Streams Limited All rights reserved.