How many mutations does omicron have, and what does that mean? And if you had a relatively mild time previously, there's a good chance you'll have the same experience with this version. Congestion or runny nose. "Omicron symptoms are very mild, but very transmissible," Dr. Lahita states. You should test after an exposure, or any COVID-compatible symptoms. Testing before you see vulnerable family members even if asymptomatic is still inadvisable.". The BA.2 subvariant has been referred to as stealth Omicron because it contains genetic mutations that can make it harder to distinguish from the . "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.". Studies have also shown that side effects from the vaccine are extremely rare. 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. Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing. When fats don't break down properly, the bile present in your stool can cause . stuffy nose. New loss of taste or smell . In fact, the CDC advises that long COVID a range of symptoms that . This is a subscriber only feature Subscribe Now to get daily updates on WhatsApp. Rashes, including the sudden onset of itchy hives, have also been reported in Covid patients. 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. 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. We may see differences in symptoms with people who are vaccinated and not, and those with prior infection, though., I haven't heard a lot on people losing their sense of taste and smell with Omicron, but Im willing to bet that this variant can do that, cause shortness of breath, and all of the other symptoms of COVID-19, particularly in the unvaccinated, Dr. Russo says. How Helpful Is Being Hydrated Before You Get a COVID-19 Vaccine or Booster Shot? But no shortness of breath. Loss of appetite. However, doctors are now reporting that patients infected with the Omicron variant may be more likely to . nausea or vomiting. 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. The Center for Disease Control (CDC), based in the US, has now said people with Covid can have a wide range of symptoms. Tips to regain stamina by an expert. One omicron side effect doctors are seeing is night sweats, with Covid sufferers reporting waking up to soaked sheets. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. The team says the "COVID-19 diarrhea" that may develop following infection with the causative agent severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the first example of viral . That suggests that Omicron may be more infectious than other variants, he says. For the first time, updated COVID-19 boosters targeting specific omicron strains of the coronavirus are available. They reported that the top five symptoms related to the variant were: Runny nose. But they can still interfere with your life. If you experience a sudden onset of these symptoms, you're encouraged to check with your doctor. Diarrhea. Cough. Some people might also experience systemic reactions, like fatigue or a low-grade fever, the experts said. The South African cases being touted by experts include separate cases in vaccinated locals, according to the New York Times. ", 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. A new loss of smell or taste without a stuffy nose is a common early symptom of COVID-19. Headache. While there are breakthrough cases of Covid among people who are vaccinated, they are rare. 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. Flashback: Gastrointestinal symptoms have been mentioned as possible symptoms . 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. Additional doses of the COVID-19 vaccine is reported to provide enough antibodies to block even Omicron variants, according to a Washington Post report on data released by Pfizer and BioNTech released this week. Diarrhea. As of the latest data, the variant has been detected in 31 statesand it was only named a variant of concern by the World Health Organization (WHO) late last month.. People have plenty of questions about this newly-detected strain of COVID-19, including the symptoms of Omicron, how Delta differs from Omicron, how . ALSO READ: Recovered from Omicron? Diarrhea; But a CDC report released in mid-December analyzed data from 43 people who had COVID-19 caused by Omicron earlier that month and found that some symptoms were more common than others. "We know that this virus travels to different parts of the body. Omicron symptoms by vaccine type. The possibility of long COVID. The side effects that most people get with the COVID shots are usually just local reactions, Dr. Frank Esper, a pediatric infectious disease specialist at the Cleveland Clinic, told TODAY. Many of the common omicron variant symptoms resemble other COVID-19 symptoms. 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Predict the closing value of sensex and win free subscription. Headache. Flashback: Gastrointestinal symptoms have been mentioned as possible symptoms before. sometimes nausea and vomiting and sometimes diarrhea. 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. Abdominal pain. Dr. Cioe-Pea says, "Yes, it's very contagious but it is still possible to avoid exposure. Sneezing. Fatigue. The presenting complaints could be back ache, abdominal ache, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite and diarrhoea. But other symptoms in the top 20 includes hoarse voice, chills or shivers, brain fog, feeling dizzy, skipped meals and feeling down. Sore throat. These boosters may better protect against COVID-19 infections with the variants currently circulating specifically BA.4 and BA.5. Kashif J. Piracha, MD, FACP, FASN, FNKF, is a practicing physician at Methodist Willowbrook Hospital. . . The majority of the Omicron patients in the CDC study (79%) were also fully vaccinated. 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. 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. Nausea or vomiting. ", RELATED: This Kind of Fat is Most Dangerous, Say Experts. Overall, though, experts said they expect the side effects with these boosters to be generally the same as those seen with the previous shots. Mild or severe fatigue. We could be setting ourselves up for a bad situation.. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provided a list of emergency warning signs that need immediate emergency medical care: Anyone suffering from these symptoms is urged to call 911 or your local emergency facility. Diarrhea: 4.1%; Vomiting: 4.1%; Similarly, in a study published in April, researchers found that patients with long COVID were experiencing conditions known as disorders of gut brain interaction. Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Nausea or vomiting. And this would not be showing in the nose - so you could have a gut infection but not show up as positive," Tim Spector, ZOE Covid Symptom Study's Professor, told The Sun. They say the rare complication in serious Covid cases meansoxygen levels in the blood are low. The best protection from any COVID-19 strain is vaccination, booster shots, and wearing a mask in indoor public spaces. While Omicron symptoms appear to be milder, Maria Van Kerkhove, the WHO's COVID-19 technical lead, said that Omicron symptoms can still vary widely. Symptoms with this condition include heartburn, trouble swallowing, irritable bowel syndrome, constipation, diarrhea, bloating and incontinence. An incubation period is the amount of time between when youre infected with an illness and when you start to show symptoms, per the CDC. If you test positive but don't have symptoms, you should isolate for 10 days from the date of your COVID test. Does Omicron cause more gastrointestinal symptoms or fatigue than other variants? Dr. Thomas Murray agreed: "Far and away I think the most common side effect that people will see will be pain at the injection site," Murray, associate professor of pediatric infectious diseases at the Yale School of Medicine, told TODAY. She also adds that it may be that the Omicron strain has similar features to the common cold or adenoviruses, which are highly transmissible. Health talked with Dr. Eric Cioe-Pea 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. Studies reveal people infected with the Omicron BA.2 show gut-related symptoms.On being infected, patients are complaining of nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, heartburn, bloating This content is imported from twitter. Is It Dandruff or Dry Scalp? "In children, Omicron can lead to gastrointestinal illnesses with symptoms including high fever, diarrhea, and vomiting, which may cause dehydration. To help alleviate arm soreness, the CDC suggests stretching, exercising and gently using the arm. In addition, Omicron can cause reinfection, even in people who . To be clear, all health officials are in universal agreement the potential list of symptoms for those affected by an Omicron SARS-CoV-2 infection remains largely the same. "The symptoms are pretty similar. 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. 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. On being infected, patients are complaining of six gut-related sicknesses -Nausea, Diarrhoea, Vomiting, Abdominal pain, Heartburn, Bloating. "The Sun", "Sun", "Sun Online" are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. He has written about food and dining for Time, among other publications. 679215 Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF. Unlike previous variants, loss of taste and smell seems to be uncommon, she said. Here is all that you need to know. Fatigue, or muscle and body aches. Cough. Doctors said the symptom could be because of low levels of oxygen going to the brain, or a result of the virus' direct attack on the brain. One patient told the news station that the sweats lasted four nights. This could be due to Omicron infecting the gut mucosa and the resulting inflammation . What Makes Omicron Spread More Rapidly Compared to Other COVID-19 Variants? Assume you have COVID if you have these symptoms, and get tested. Participants also reported muscle and joint aches, fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, swollen lymph nodes, and redness and pain at the injection site. 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. So, before you get your next shot, here's what you need to know about the side effects you might experience and experts' advice to make them bearable while your body builds up that crucial immune response. Nausea or vomiting.