In the United States, Omicron has emerged as the main coronavirus subtype. Our understanding of the variant is still evolving, but we now know more about Omicron—including its symptoms—than we did when it first surfaced.So far, research indicates that it is more transmissible and causes less severe disease than previous versions such as Delta. The symptoms of Omicron infection may also differ.
According to Peter Gulick, DO, an associate professor of medicine at Michigan State University, the symptoms of Omicron primarily affect the upper respiratory tract and can include a sore throat, congestion, a runny nose, and a headache. "On rare occasions, nausea and diarrhea may occur," Gulick explained. Others may experience muscle aches, fever, and chills.
In December, the ZOE COVID Study app, a global initiative that tracks COVID cases and symptoms, adds sneezing and fatigue to the list of typical Omicron symptoms.
In older forms, infection caused more lung damage.
The good news is that Omicron is milder than Delta in both vaccinated and unvaccinated people, according to Gulick. "Approximately 90% of those hospitalized are unvaccinated," he said.
However, Omicron's symptoms can overlap with those of the typical cold and flu. During the winter, when we are prone to colds and flu, it might be difficult to distinguish a COVID infection from other viruses.
THE TOP FIVE SYMPTOMS OF OMNICRON YOU SHOULD BE AWARE OF
1. Tiredness or fatigue: This has been consistent since the new coronavirus arose and is still one of the most prevalent characteristics of COVID-19, which may aid in distinguishing it from the common cold.
Because many of these symptoms are shared by many viral infections, and the more recognizable loss of smell or taste is less prevalent with Omicron, effective diagnostic testing is still required to differentiate COVID-19 from other forms of respiratory infections.
2. Runny nose: This is one of the most prevalent symptoms noticed presently, according to Prof Tim Spector, the researcher behind the ZOE COVID Symptom Study app, which collects daily data on people's symptoms, illness, and vaccination status. In December, UK researchers advised that anyone experiencing a cold in the UK should presume it's COVID-19, since it was responsible for around half of all infections in the country at the time.
3. Pain in the muscle or back: Lower back discomfort was reported as a symptom of Omicron in the early reports from South Africa, and reports from other countries indicate myalgia or muscle aching as well.
4. Cough/sore throat: Coughing has been a defining symptom of COVID-19 since its inception, and it still is, but patients now appear to be equally, if not more, likely to suffer a sore throat.
5. Loss of smell or taste is a rare occurrence: At the onset of the pandemic, this was a defining symptom, and many people had never experienced it. This transformed into parosmia for certain people, particularly those suffering from Long Covid, when once pleasant aromas like shampoo smelt awful. It's far less prevalent with Omicron, with only one in every five persons reporting it.
WAYS TO PROTECT YOURSELF
It is crucial to understand and recognize all Omicron symptoms. COVID symptoms include sore throat, runny nose, headache, and tiredness.
If you have any symptoms, get checked and isolate yourself until the results come in. This will assist in the outbreak's control.
If you reside in an area where infection rates are high, consider staying at home and limiting social contact. Because Omicron is a highly infectious mutation, it is best to be cautious when socializing.
SUMMARY
Omicron has fundamentally altered the way we deal with coronavirus. The COVID variation propagated more quickly than the previously known variants. It has immune-evasion qualities, and its symptoms are diverse and distinct from one another.
