COVID: 80% Omicron patients are complaining of this symptom In a September 2022 news release, the CDC also recommended updated booster shots that contain proteins targeting the variants for people ages 12 and older. 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. Some of the main symptoms of COVID are fever or chills, a cough, and new loss of taste or smell, but there are also other indicators. Oops! More infections were driving a higher number of COVID-19 hospitalizations rather than more severe symptoms. Runny nose. With previous coronavirus strains like Delta, the . However, many of the more common Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 symptoms are not severe, and you can often treat them at home. The omicron variant mostly affects the throat, therefore, most of the symptoms associated with this variant are upper respiratory problems. Trends in number of COVID-19 cases and deaths in the US reported to the CDC, by state/territory. If someone is showing any of these signs, seek emergency medical care immediately: Trouble breathing Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Dont have insurance? "COVID-19 can be transmitted through poo . A person is also considered contagious before symptoms appear. pic.twitter.com/PcgVBYojKi. A Division of NBC Universal. CDC recommends the first COVID-19 booster. The 5 stages of an Omicron infection you need to know about And Will I Need It Again? Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Cough. 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. 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. AARP Membership - LIMITED TIME FLASH SALE. Not Just Lungs, Omicron Targets Stomach Too: Diarrhoea And Other Although the first cases of Omicron were observed in late 2021, the variant might have been around for several months. "The symptoms of the Omicron variant, which includes the BA.2 lineage, and the Delta variant, are similar," Erica Johnson, MD, . Even if Omicron can feel like "just a cold to those fully vaccinated, it is much more transmissible. "Be mindful of your symptoms and test early for COVID so that you can take steps to protect others from infection, especially as it relates to events like these. 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. Infected people may then go to work or other gatherings and spread the virus. From Delta to Omicron: Analysing the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in France using variant-specific screening tests (September 1 to December 18, 2021). We do not know about the clinical severity of BA.4 and BA.5 in comparison to our other Omicron subvariants, CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said at a White House COVID-19 Response Team briefing, per CNN. For instance, some studies report that loss of taste and smell once a telltale sign of COVID-19 occurs less often in omicron infections. 2. Think you may have Omicron? nausea or vomiting. 2021;34(10):666-668. doi:10.1089/vim.2021.0126. Less severe symptoms may also be causing the new strains to spread faster. I have seen some cases of reinfection with people who had a BA.2 variant in the last few months, he added. But Passaretti has heard that people with BA.5 or Omicron may experience worse fevers and sore throats. That said, lots of different factors can affect the severity of symptoms, the CDC says, and vaccination status is one of them. AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that empowers people to choose how they live as they age. "In children, Omicron can lead to gastrointestinal illnesses with symptoms including high fever, diarrhea, and vomiting, which may cause dehydration. . What supplements should we really be taking? The COVID-19 Omicron variant and common flu: Symptoms and treatment . People need to get their booster shots for the most protection. 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. The symptoms that arise from a case of COVID-19 caused by the now-dominant omicron strain known as BA.5 don't seem to differ from those caused by its parent variant or any of the other omicron offshoots, experts say. Omicron can affect your gut; symptoms to watch out for Diarrhea. People who are mixing socially and those who are unvaccinated are more susceptible to contracting COVID-19. Gulick says that even for those who are vaccinated, a reinfection rate may be as high as 30%. Please enable Javascript in your browser and try Runny nose. "Masking is also important if you have something crucial on your schedule; a vacation, a graduation, or even a medical procedure where you need to be healthy for that important activity," Dr. Huang adds. An 85-year Harvard study found the No. This particular subvariant is the most infectious of the Omicron collection of viruses, as the third iteration of Omicron that first began increasing breakthrough COVID-19 cases late last fall. According to Reuters, Dr. Angelique Coetzee, a private practitioner and chair of South African Medical Association, said on Sunday that symptoms of the omicron variant were so far mild and could . COVID symptoms range from pain felt within the body such as muscle pain, sore throat or a loss of smell and taste. Rapid antigen tests may be just as hard to find. But at 92 per cent, we'd be wanting you to come in for further examination," she said. "Especially if you have compatible symptoms, take a negative result with not just one grain of salt, but with maybe a whole truckload of salt," said Oughton. A sore throat and hoarse voice may also be more common among people infected with omicron, compared with delta, researchers in the U.K. discovered. ", A Cleaning Expert Explains the Best Way to Clean Cloth Face Masks After You Wear Them Good Housekeeping, 35 Delicious Pantry Recipes That Use What's Already in Your Cabinets and Freezer Good Housekeeping, The Amish keep to themselves. The Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 strains of COVID-19 became the most common forms of the COVID-19 virus in the U.S. in 2022. But for the most part, most symptoms Rutherford was aware of were respiratory. "Please call your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you." Fatigue, or muscle and body aches. 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. Omicron Variant Symptoms | Last Updated January 2022 | U.S. News 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. Those who are fully up-to-date on their shots are at less risk of mild infection, Dr. Huang stresses; but they are not impervious to getting sick, even if it's a second COVID-19 sickness. Sometimes a fever. 2022. doi:10.1101/2021.12.31.21268583, Arnold CG, Monte AA, Littlefield K, Vest A, Palmer BE. Omicron appears to cause milder symptoms than previous variantsespecially in fully vaccinated people. We are also still learning about long COVID. "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. "Often the sore throat is the kind of [first] symptom, and then the rest kind of come on.". COVID symptoms: How to tell when to get tested - The Palm Beach Post O'Connor says that many emergency departments across Canada are offering virtual consultations, and she suggests people try that first before coming to hospital. These were: a persistent cough, runny nose, fatigue, sore throat, headache, muscle pain, fever and sneezing. Omicron Symptoms: Is Throwing Up a Sign of COVID-19 Infection? Only 54% had a fever. What doctors wish patients knew about the BA.2 Omicron subvariant Tweet. New COVID Variants May Fuel a Winter SurgeWhat to Know About BQ.1, XBB, and Others, Omicron Infection Timeline: When Symptoms Start and How Long They Last, BA.2.75 Is the Newest Omicron SubvariantHere's What We Know So Far. 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. "And then you get other people infected.". Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. "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].". Headache. Over 80% commonly reported a cough, while 72% experienced a sore throat. Fever. Will a U.S. COVID-19 vaccine maker be able to stay in business? The CDC says that its guidelines were updated to reflect growing evidence that suggests transmission of COVID-19 often occurs one to two days before the onset of symptoms and during the two to three days afterward. 3 Common Symptoms of the BA.2 COVID Variant Best Life Fatigue. Laura Hensley is an award-winning lifestyle journalist who has worked in some of the largest newsrooms in Canada. Patients often get COVID diarrhea after being infected with Delta or Omicron strains, even if they had two or three doses of vaccination. 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. medRxiv. The symptom that tells you you've caught omicron As with the symptoms themselves, it was too early as of September 2022 to tell just how severely the variants might affect patients. The Omicron coronavirus variant is very transmissible, making it likely you or someone you know will catch it. "Sometimes they don't realize how short of breath they are until it's too late, particularly in younger patients," she said. Omicron BA.5 variant | COVID-19 | UC Davis Health Oughton noted that he is seeing fewer people who experience a loss of taste or smell with Omicron as compared to previous variants, although it is still happening to some. 3 Common Omicron BA.2.12.1 COVID-19 Subvariant Symptoms - Good Housekeeping Is Diarrhea a Symptom of Covid-19? - Health Loss of appetite. ", "Even if it's a sore throat, no matter what it is," she said. Asking for help is a strength, not a weakness, Accenture exec says, How this 39-year-old earns $26,000 a year in California. Omicron and seasonal flu - UNICEF Symptoms of Covid affecting the fully vaccinated | The Independent COVID-19 might cause nausea, vomiting or diarrhea either alone or with other COVID-19 symptoms. Since it emerged in November 2021, the Omicron COVID variant has completely changed the course of the pandemic. 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. Here's a full list of known, potential COVID-19 symptoms for any individual, according to the CDC: Shortness of breath, difficulty breathing. For the most recent updates on COVID-19, visit ourcoronavirus news page. The South African doctor who was the first to detect the COVID-19 omicron variant, Angelique Coetzee, described most of the symptoms as "extremely mild" when alerting people what to look out . You are just one step away from creating your watchlist! Ask an Expert: Do I Really Need the Bivalent Booster? As COVID cases surge, how to know omicron symptoms vs. common cold - Yahoo! The Omicron variant is the most transmissible variant to date for all age groups, including both adults and children. Because omicron symptoms can be mistaken for the common cold or flu, doctors urge anyone experiencing them to isolate until symptoms subside. "This has to do with data from the CDC that really showed after seven days there's virtually no risk of transmission at this point," Arwady said. Can Omicron symptoms be distinguished from Delta symptoms? Diarrhea, a common symptom for earlier variants, may turn up. 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. Editor's Note: This story, originally published Jan. 10, 2022, has been updated to reflect new information. "If you use the cloth mask as an overlay over top of a surgical mask or a medical mask that sort of improves the quality of the fit on your face,"saidOughton. Oklahoma COVID-19 cases, deaths, omicron variant, testing sites They also reported that having diarrhea as a COVID symptom was found to be linked to a greater risk of hospitalization, especially among people who also experienced abdominal pain and unusual muscle pain. 8. . Shutterstock. Omicron symptoms: How COVID-19 variant compares to flu or cold Omicron variant symptoms: 2 new COVID symptoms you haven - Deseret News