Avoid self-medication including so-called safe Ayurvedic treatment without consulting your doctor. Woman . It's highly contagiousscientists estimate it's twice as transmissible as the Delta variant, which itself was twice as transmissible as the original COIVD strainwhich calls for an abundance of caution. A new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) analyzed data from 43 cases of COVID-19 in the U.S. caused by Omicron and found that patients generally had these symptoms: One doctor who has treated Omicron patients in South Africa told the BBC in late November that people infected with the variant early on had extremely mild symptoms.. 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They get a little pain in the arm, they get a little swelling.. This content is imported from twitter. ", MD, director of Global Health and Emergency Department physician at Staten Island University Hospital who explained when Omicron symptoms start and how to tell the difference between the virus and the flu. Muscle or body aches. The highly contagious omicron variant now accounts for most new cases in the United States. Swollen glands. What are the symptoms of omicron? So far as many as 25 symptoms have been reported by people who have been infected with it. Cough. For aches, pain and fever, take over-the-counter medication such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Headache. Your hands can be affected too and the condition can last weeks or months, doctors say. So, the expert groups reviewed the data the companies have so far about the new shots as well as data looking at previous versions of the shots, which targeted the BA.1 variant and the original strain. The genetic makeup of Omicron is vastly different compared to other COVID-19 strains that experts have seen, explains Gwen Murphy, M.D., Ph.D., an epidemiology expert and director currently at testing company Let'sGetChecked. Diarrhea. In fact, the CDC advises that long COVID a range of symptoms that . We just dont have a lot of data yet., Dr. Russo says hes concerned about talk of Omicron being a mild infection, when the majority of cases have been in people who are vaccinated or younger. At that point, those who are between the ages of 12 and 17 can receive the updated Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 booster. It's also important to keep in mind that with every new variant, there's a lag between infections and hospitalizations, so a variant can initially seem less concerning than it actually may be. Headache. "Do not pass off abdominal pain, nausea and loss of appetite as a normal flu, if you have symptoms, isolate yourself. The variant has also caused other concerns due to its high transmission rate. However, doctors are now reporting that patients infected with the Omicron variant may be more likely to . 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. Prior to joining GH in 2019, Zee fostered a nutrition background as an editor at Cooking Light and is continually developing his grasp of holistic health through collaboration with leading academic experts and clinical care providers. Some people with COVID experience gastrointestinal symptoms, such as diarrhea and vomiting. If you've had a COVID-19 infection recently, you can also consider waiting up to three months to get your new booster, according to the CDC. IE 11 is not supported. The possibility of long COVID. Here's what we know so far about the symptoms of the Omicron variant, according to research and infectious disease experts. 2 Omicron Symptoms In Country Where It Originated. Doctors say one of the first signs of the omicron variant in particular can be a scratchy throat, followed by headache and fatigue. By mild I mean mostly sore throat. Muscle or body aches. Symptoms may appear two to 14 days after exposure to the virus. They reported that the top five symptoms related to the variant were: Runny nose. More coughing. People with compromised immune systems are the most likely to experience diarrhoea and other gastrointestinal symptoms, reports NBC Chicago. It has also cautioned that Omicron is not mild, though it might be milder than Delta. Flashback: Gastrointestinal symptoms have been mentioned as possible symptoms before. People should also be aware that diarrhoea is not just a possible symptom of Covid but also features in numerous medical conditions. Some of the top online searches related to Omicron symptoms include "nausea," "diarrhea" and "fatigue . ", RELATED: This Common Habit Makes Your Dementia Risk Soar, 6 The Difference Between Omicron and the Flu, "Usually, the only way to tell is to get tested," Dr. Cioe-Pea explains. Were still investigating what the increase in reports of gastrointestinal symptoms like diarrhoea, skipped meals and abdominal pain, which were prevalent with previous variants, means now since the increase doesnt appear to be linked with those who test positive for Omicron," a study by Zoe had stated. Older adults and people who have severe underlying medical conditions like heart or lung disease or diabetes seem to be at higher risk for developing more serious complications from COVID-19 illness. Other common symptoms include nasal congestion, a dry cough, and aches (particularly lower back pain). COVID-19 might cause nausea, vomiting or diarrhea either alone or with other COVID-19 symptoms. Borgmann also noted another unusual symptom in his daughter, who was complaining about lower back pain. If you're getting together with people you don't live with, then Dr. Liu suggests everyone take a rapid COVID-19 test at home to prevent asymptomatic spread (ideally, take a rapid test the same day of the gathering). Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Headache. Meanwhile, blood in the poo was a very rare side-effect that was reported by just two patients. New loss of taste or smell. This list does not include all possible symptoms. The number of Omicron cases is skyrocketing everywhere.And although we are hearing that, for the most degree, for most healthy people and certainly the vaccinated people, they may not have as severe of a case of the symptoms related to this COVID infection, It is still very important because our community . The perfect tummy control bodysuit, a popcorn gadget, more bestsellers starting at $8. Headache. Short answer: doctors think so. Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing. What Are the Symptoms of the Omicron Variant? "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. Participants also reported muscle and joint aches, fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, swollen lymph nodes, and redness and pain at the injection site. Overall, though, experts said they expect the side effects with these boosters to be generally the same as those seen with the previous shots. How severe do the symptoms tend to be? You should test after an exposure, or any COVID-compatible symptoms. Anyone can have mild to severe symptoms. Avoid spicy food and alcohol. According to the CDC, the most common symptoms of COVID-19 include: Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing. So any of those things would be a reason to go ahead and . This article is accurate as of press time. Log in to our website to save your bookmarks. These include - Fever or chills, Cough, Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, Fatigue, Muscle or body aches, Headache, New loss of taste or smell, Sore throat or hoarse voice, Congestion or runny nose, Nausea or vomiting, Diarrhoea, High temperature, Continuous cough, Back pain, A loss of appetite, Delerium, Heartburn, Bloating, Sleep paralysis, Skin rash, Night sweats, Covid tongue, Covid toes or fingers, Chest pain, Abdominal pain. pic.twitter.com/g4oAi89ifu. They may be all equally severe or present different severities depending on the symptom. Anyone with Omicron infection, regardless of vaccination status or whether or not they have symptoms, can spread the virus to others. In this installment, AMA member Stephen Parodi, MD, an infectious disease physician, took time to discuss what patients need to know about the COVID-19 Omicron Variant. 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. Read onand to ensure your health and the health of others, don't miss these Sure Signs You've Already Had COVID. Sarah Jacoby is a health reporter at TODAY. Read on to find out moreand to ensure your health and the health of others, don't miss these Sure Signs You've Already Had COVID. Because omicron symptoms can be mistaken for the common . That said, doctors and public health officials around the world are concerned, keeping a close eye on this variant, and making swift decisions on COVID-19 mitigation measures because of itand identifying common Omicron variant symptoms along the way. "What we haven't seen yet is a substantial body of information about what Omicron will do in unvaccinated people," he added. Scientists have also noted that loss of smell and taste appear to be less common among people recently testing positive for this latest strain. Omicron has also been detected at faster rates than previous surges in infection, suggesting that this variant may have a growth advantage, the WHO says. "You can expect (the updated booster will) be very similar to your prior shots," he said. Some researchers argue Omicron may spare the lungs and cause milder disease because TMPRSS2 is more common on cells in the lower airways, but there are few data to support that, Peacock says. Anyone can have mild to severe symptoms. pic.twitter.com/jNBdMicv1i. The presenting complaints could be back ache, abdominal ache, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite and diarrhoea. Try to time your shot for a day in which you don't have much going on so that, if you do have to take it easy, you won't be missing much. Nausea or vomiting. Symptoms like arm soreness or general fatigue can make it challenging to go through the motions of work and school. Assume you have COVID if you have these symptoms, and get tested. This is proving to be especially true for those vaccinated individuals who experience breakthrough COVID-19 illness. Suffering from vomiting, nausea and abdominal pain without fever? Based on a ZOE Health Study analysis of COVID-19 symptoms among infected people in London, the symptoms of the Omicron variant might not be too different. It'll just take a moment. Because omicron symptoms can be mistaken for the common cold or flu, doctors urge anyone experiencing them to isolate until symptoms subside. "Every patient I've seen with Covid that's had a 3rd 'booster' dose has had mild symptoms. The CDC says COVID-19 may cause the following symptoms: To protect yourself and others from severe sickness from any COVID-19 strain, Dr. Liu said the best thing to do is get fully vaccinated. Dr. Cioe-Pea says, "Yes, it's very contagious but it is still possible to avoid exposure. Diarrhea can also potentially cause stomach growling. However, norovirus and other gastro-related illnesses are also circulating. The Omicron variant of COVID-19 has surged worldwide in record timeit was only three weeks ago that the first case was identified in South Africa. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. There are a number of curveballs out there with Omicron, and were still learning about this variant, Dr. Schaffner says. You really can't, experts say. People have plenty of questions about this newly-detected strain of COVID-19, including the symptoms of Omicron, how Delta differs from Omicron, how deadly the Omicron variant is and whether current COVID-19 tests will detect Omicron. Aside from classic Covid-19 symptoms, according to Dr. Singh, some of the distinguishing symptoms of the Omicron variant are: runny nose. But these symptoms also depend on your vaccination status, age, comorbidity conditions and history of natural infections.". The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states, "People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Unlike earlier variants like delta that affected the lungs, omicron and its subvariants tend to cause more upper respiratory symptoms . But other symptoms in the top 20 includes hoarse voice, chills or shivers, brain fog, feeling dizzy, skipped meals and feeling down. Earlier reports, however limited, indicate that Omicron variant infections may differ just slightly from cases experts have seen stem from the spread of Delta and other earlier variants that were of concern in 2021. It actually started with a male patient whos around the age of 33 and he said to me that hes just [been] extremely tired for the past few days and hes got these body aches and pains with a bit of a headache, Angelique Coetzee, M.D., chair of the South African Medical Association, said. 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 . Vomiting. Congestion or runny nose. 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. In the event of a breakthrough case, victims are highly unlikely to be hospitalized with severe or deadly symptoms from the virus. The Sun website is regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. Loss of smell or taste. New loss of taste or smell. It could be due to Omicron infection, and experts say one should get tested for Covid if you have these abdominal complaints even without respiratory symptoms or fever. This may be due to how the virus' protein has mutated, particularly "the spike protein, or how the virus infects cells," Dr. Johnston says. "We know that this virus travels to different parts of the body. 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. The best way to protect yourself against COVID-19 (including an Omicron-induced infection!) The multiple mutations in its spike protein are definitely concerning, says Thomas Russo, M.D., professor and chief of infectious disease at the University at Buffalo in New York. Fever or chills. While the list of potential symptoms related to Omicron infections is the same, limited data suggests that a few symptoms chiefly fatigue, feeling overtired or exhausted and pain across multiple muscle groups on the body are much more common than breathlessness or a loss of taste and smell associated with previous strains of the coronavirus. Symptoms if mild might not be of concern," says Dr Goel. Sore throat. Below, experts explain everything they've learned about Omicron symptoms and infections so far and what Americans should know if they expect they're experiencing an Omicron-related sickness. The CDC says COVID-19 may cause the following symptoms: Fever or chills. sore throat. Unusual muscle pains. . However, as the COVID-19 pandemic rapidly evolves and the scientific communitys understanding of the novel coronavirus develops, some of the information may have changed since it was last updated. 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. To get the most protection against COVID-19 and flu this season, make sure you get vaccinated against both #COVID19 AND #flu. During both weeks, the top five symptoms people reported were runny nose, headache, fatigue, sneezing, and sore throat. From vegan to keto, which diet has the highest carbon footprint. Cough. For instance, in both the Moderna and Pfizer trials, the most common side effects were pain at the injection site, fatigue and headache. This could be due to Omicron infecting the gut mucosa and the resulting inflammation . CDC will continue to update this list as we learn more about COVID-19. His Tesla management team. "We're now seeing more headache, body aches, and a cough that's maybe mild to . But they can still interfere with your life. But the companies' human clinical trials with these specific formulations are still in progress. According to Centre for Disease Control (CDC), some of the common symptoms associated with Omicron are cough, fatigue, congestion and runny nose. New loss of taste or smell. 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. But it must have been at least 2 months since your last vaccine dose, the CDC explains. Ashley Abramson is a freelance writer based in Milwaukee, WI. For instance, I contracted COVID in early January and because I was frequently testing, I was able to isolate myself in my home and no one in my family, including my 4-year-old unvaccinated daughter, subsequently got COVID. Sore throat. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. "It's still too early to say that there's any difference in symptoms between the Omicron variant and previous versions," Ashley Z. Ritter, an adjunct professor at the University of Pennsylvania told the New York Times on Wednesday. Even if you're fully vaccinated, the CDC recommends wearing a mask in indoor public transportation settings, but you can choose to wear a mask at any time. Those who have been vaccinated earlier in 2021 are likely now qualified to receive a booster dose now, which is proving to be a crucial defense, according to early research. Copyright HT Digital Streams Limited All rights reserved. Nausea and vomiting could be an early symptom of the Omicron variant. More data is needed to conclude if Omicron infections cause more severe illness or death compared to infections with other variants and how effective vaccines are against severe illness, hospitalizations, and deaths. The bigger picture: These symptoms are a sign that the omicron variant's symptoms are . Theres no question at this point that GI symptoms can be a manifestation of Covid-19, William Chey, M.D., professor of gastroenterology and nutrition sciences at the University of Michigan, told AARP. The recently discovered Omicron variant is fueling a new surge of COVID-19 cases across the nation healthcare providers in more than 19 American states (and 50 countries in total) are currently reporting official infections traced back to this new version of the novel coronavirus, according .css-1me6ynq{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-thickness:0.0625rem;text-decoration-color:#125C68;text-underline-offset:0.25rem;color:#125C68;-webkit-transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;}.css-1me6ynq:hover{color:#595959;text-decoration-color:#595959;}to public statements made by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) officials. 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. Diarrhea was slightly more common with omicron. Also, early outbreaks of Omicron have been among young adults who tend to have milder infections anyway, as well as among those who are more likely to have antibody protection through vaccination or previous infection, Anne Liu, MD, an infectious disease physician with Stanford Health Care, told Health. Sore throat. Dry Eye and COVID-19: How the 2 Conditions Are Connected, According to Experts. 3 How Soon After You've Been Exposed to Omicron Do You Start Showing Signs? "That's a heck of a lot more disruptive to your life than just the sore arm and it has the potential to be even worse if you get really sick.". That study compared the COVID-19 symptoms that people recorded during a week in Octoberbefore the Omicron variant was known to be in Londonand a week in Decemberafter the variant was confirmed to be in London. It is important to remember that this is not the only symptom with common signs being fatigue, breathing issues, muscle and body aches as well as headaches or a sore throat. The best protection from any COVID-19 strain is vaccination, booster shots, and wearing a mask in indoor public spaces. Studies in the UK reveal (where stealth Omicron is already spreading at a high rate) that people infected with the sub-variant show gut-related symptoms. 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. Health officials said it can be difficult to differentiate between Omicron and a traditional stomach virus. 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. Loss of smell. "The symptoms are pretty similar. Runny nose. Officially, the CDC has not changed its list of the most common COVID-19 symptoms. For other inquiries, Contact Us. Even people who are vaccinated are experiencing these new symptoms. Omicron though has been harder to identify as it has been found to blend in with other symptoms of seasonal illnesses such as flu or the common cold. Doctors studying Omicron's spread around the world have found new clues to the pattern of symptoms caused by the highly-mutated COVID-19 variant, which a growing number of reports suggest might . How to prepare for the active flu season experts are predicting, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Injection site reactions (pain, redness and swelling). While fever, cough, and shortness of breath are common signs of a possible coronavirus infection, other strange symptoms are being attributed to the virus. RELATED: Warning Signs You Have "Too Much Fat," Say Experts. " 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.