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The best masks are N95s or equivalents, such as Canadian-made FN95 masks, as well as KN95s and KF94s. And ever since, vaccine and booster eligibility has only expanded. AARP Members Only Access to Special Health Content, Access AARP health Smart Guides, articles and special content. The Washington State Department of Health reported on Jan. 26 that 60 percent of Omicron patients reported having a headache, making it one of the most-common symptoms of the variant. "I think if you're being extra careful there, if you wanted to test again, you know, at seven even, sometimes people look at three to get an earlier sense of things. For healthy people with two or three doses of vaccine the symptoms are fairly mild and tend to be over within a few days from when people tested positive, says Dr. Erin O'Connor. People with prior infection, even with BA.1 and BA.2, are likely still at risk for BA.4 or BA.5.. Here are things you can do | CBC Radio Loaded. Diarrhea; This list does not include all possible symptoms. . Sneezing. the risk really is very low.". As with the symptoms themselves, it was too early as of September 2022 to tell just how severely the variants might affect patients. Cough. Sneezing. Moderna's monovalent shot contains 50 micrograms of mRNA per dose targeting the original strain. Seek medical attention right away if the vaccine recipient has any of the following symptoms: difficulty breathing, swelling of the face and throat, a fast heartbeat, a bad rash all over . "It is clear that the disproportionate share of infections are those that are weathered at home," she says. Rapid antigen tests may be just as hard to find. 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. Emergency care for COVID-19 symptoms. Sometimes a fever. Please note that CBC does not endorse the opinions expressed in comments. Predict the closing value of sensex and win free subscription. It found five symptoms were the most common: These symptoms, also listed by the CDC, can make the omicron infection look like a common cold. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Headache. . "You should get tested for COVID-19 if you develop any of the 11 known COVID symptoms," says Dr . The reformulated shots from Pfizer and Moderna are bivalent, which means they target both the original Covid strain and omicron's BA.5 and BA.4 subvariants. Morris said symptoms indicative of pneumonia or respiratory failure, like shortness of breath, chest pain, cough tend to show up later, between day five and 10. ; And how to prevent infection by the BA.2.12.1 strain. Half of them didnt offer the level of protection theyre supposed to. Rules and guidance around what to do are changing rapidly, but there are a few key things you need to know right now. Because these symptoms can easily be mistaken for a common cold, especially during a time when travel restrictions are being lifted, many choose not to seek out a COVID-19 test initially until other symptoms present later down the road. "This list is not all possible symptoms," the CDC states. Many of the common omicron variant symptoms resemble other COVID-19 symptoms. For instance, some studies report that loss of taste and smell once a telltale sign of COVID-19 occurs less often in omicron infections. ", "Even if it's a sore throat, no matter what it is," she said. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. "Sometimes they don't realize how short of breath they are until it's too late, particularly in younger patients," she said. People need to get their booster shots for the most protection. All Rights Reserved. sore throat. The same concept held true during the last round of booster shots. 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. Any combination, and varying levels of severity, of the following symptoms may be triggered by an Omicron SARS-CoV-2 infection. It doesnt even make the list of the top five symptoms in the ongoing ZOE COVID Study, according to a Sept. 13 update. @CDCgov is prepared to quickly identify any new variant & evaluate the public health impact.Updated variant proportions. In the case of gastrointestinal illness, a doctor should be consulted, and a test should be administered immediately. They've often been associated with those who are feeling mild COVID-19 symptoms, including children, according to Insider. All rights reserved, Judge: Oxford Schools, Staff Immune From Lawsuits Stemming From Michigan School Shooting, CTA Continues Efforts to Adapt Electric Buses to Winter's Challenges, how long should you quarantine with covid, New Ranking Names Most Expensive Cities In Illinois and These Chicago Suburbs Top the List, Chicago Suburb Lands on List of Happiest Places to Live,' Another Midwest City Makes Top 10, Stomach Bug Cases Surging, Sending People to Emergency Rooms in Chicago Area, Inmate Beaten to Death in Maximum Security Wing of Cook County Jail, Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, Pale, gray, or blue-colored skin, lips, or nail beds, depending on skin tone. Early reports indicate that Omicron variant symptoms may be milder in nature compared to other variations of SARS-CoV-2, but experts say more research is needed. Fatigue. Coronavirus or Cold Symptoms: How Do They Compare? The Omicron coronavirus variant is very transmissible, making it likely you or someone you know will catch it. Health's content is for informational and educational purposes only. The symptoms that arise from a case of COVID-19 caused by the now-dominant omicron strain known as BA.5 dont seem to differ from those caused by its parent variant or any of the other omicron offshoots, experts say. Your session has expired, please login again. Those who are unvaccinated, however, are experiencing similar symptoms to early on in the pandemic, Arwady said. 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. Symptoms of loss of taste and smell are related to COVID, so if you develop symptoms and are at high-risk, then definitely get tested since there is now treatment for early disease, Gulick said. Free online workshop! If you know or think you've got Omicron, stay home. Roughly 26% of participants experienced a mild or moderate headache, while only 0.3% experienced a severe one. Theirstudy, published inThe Lancet, also suggests that brain fog and dizziness are less prevalent in omicron cases. You are just one step away from creating your watchlist! "We should keep our eyes wide open to what side effects and adverse events might occur, and still keep in mind that this is a new product," Offit says. Rest assured: They're not expected to be much different from what you may have experienced with previous vaccine and booster doses. KOCO 5 is keeping you updated on the COVID-19 pandemic in Oklahoma. And like COVID-19, the influenza vaccine can help prevent serious flu complications from ever occurring. Some of the other symptoms experienced are "very similar to the other coronaviruses such as febrile illness and respiratory symptoms." "Patients can also have gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea, and loss of taste or loss of . Mild or severe fatigue. "Please call your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you.". Seventy-four percent reported fatigue. 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 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. But it's also crucial to remember that no two COVID-19 illnesses are the same; it's entirely possible that an infection triggered by BA.2.12.1 may lead to early upper respiratory symptoms that resemble a cold or reaction to allergies, or it may simply present any of the other known COVID-19 symptoms entirely (including fatigue alone!). Intelligence agencies have mixed opinions. . Some may also experience changes in taste or smell." Some of the most specific available data on Omicron symptoms comes from the U.K. Zoe COVID Study App . Arwady said that now, those who are fully vaccinated aren't necessarily getting "seriously ill and having fevers for days and difficult breathing," but are instead experiencing a more mild illness. In the fall of 2022, experts weren't sure how severely the Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants would affect the U.S. population. While the research continues to evolve, so far, it shows that vaccinated people are less likely to go on and have long COVID. Hospitalization rates have decreased dramatically since their peak in January, but still, thousands of individuals are still being admitted daily for COVID-19 and the vast majority of them are older Americans. The newer subvariants have the ability to evade immunity from vaccines or prior infections, or both, perthe Deseret News. Another option to consider if you test negative for COVID-19 but feel ill is a flu test, Washer says, since there are also treatments specific to this illness that can help you feel better. Still, symptoms don't seem to be much different than for Omicron or other types of COVID-19 infection. Some people may never experience symptoms, though they can still spread the virus. Chills. 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. Dr. Katherine Poehling, an infectious disease specialist and member of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices,told NBC Newsthat a cough, congestion, runny nose and fatigue appear to be prominent symptoms with the omicron variant. Still, omicron appears to cause less severe illness than previous variants, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes. It found five symptoms were the most common: Over 80% commonly reported a cough, while 72% experienced a sore throat. She's the deputy medical director of the emergency departments at the University Health Network in Toronto. More: https://t.co/Xys80ZGlxV. Government officials are racing to collect new information on how current vaccines stack up in protecting Americans from the spread of BA.2.12.1, alongside its genetic characteristics that sets it apart from other SARS-CoV-2 viruses. You need to be cautiouseven though for most people who are vaccinated with a booster, they will likely experience only a mild disease," he said. In fact, the most common omicron variant symptoms so far include muscle aches, fatigue, scratchy throat and night sweats, which are not overly severe, as I wrote for the Deseret News. According to the American Medical Association (AMA), the most common symptoms of BA.5 are: Fever. The omicron subvariant of COVID-19, BA.5, became one of the dominant strains of the virus in the fall of 2022 in the U.S. At that time, it was the most easily spread strain to date and is able to evade immunity from COVID infection and vaccination. A single dose of Pfizer's monovalent vaccine contains 30 micrograms of mRNA targeting the original Covid strain. Babcock says that new data shows that people who were vaccinated and got infected with a previous variant of the virus had a much lower risk of long COVID than unvaccinated people who got infected. Will a U.S. COVID-19 vaccine maker be able to stay in business? Communities can avoid major complications and deaths from the BA.4 and BA.5 variants the same way as with any other variant. Rachel Nania writes about health care and health policy for AARP. . You can treat the milder symptomscough, sore throat, runny noseat home. According to the CDC, the most common symptoms of any variant of COVID-19 are: Fever or chills. WATCH | Tips for treatingyour Omicron symptoms: If you can, it's important to get vaccinated or boosted. For those patients with asthma who are having a wheeze with this, we may prescribe puffers for them to help out," she said. "[There are] adults who have had fevers of almost 40 degrees Centigrade [104 degrees Fahrenheit]," Dr. Rutherford told Health. Copyright HT Digital Streams Limited All rights reserved. Copyright 2023 Deseret News Publishing Company. Susan Huang, M.D., the medical director of epidemiology and infection prevention at UCI Health in Orange County, indicates that current data available to healthcare providers suggest this latest Omicron subvariant is highly contagious. Some of the symptoms that one may experience in the stomach are - abdominal pain, nausea, bloating, and diarrhoea, rather than breathing issues, coughing, fever, etc. Fever. If your test comes back positive, ask your doctor if youre eligible for a COVID-19 treatment, such as one of the new antivirals even if your symptoms are mild. 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. Severe chest pains and worsening or severe shortness of breath are signs you should head to the hospital. I'm going to work,'" Dr. Passaretti said. 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. When we let our guards down and skip out on booster appointments or throw away masks, we are giving the virus more opportunities to spread. All Rights Reserved, These 5 symptoms are the most common in omicron, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data. This is a subscriber only feature Subscribe Now to get daily updates on WhatsApp. Omicron estimated to be 95.4% of coronavirus variants in U.S. - CDC, From Delta to Omicron: Analysing the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in France using variant-specific screening tests (September 1 to December 18, 2021). Shutterstock. "We have also crossed the grim milestone of 1 million American lives lost to COVID.". This is why getting booster shots, as well as flu shots, masking, and getting tested remain important, he says. As Gulick points out, getting booster shots is crucial. Persistent pain or pressure in the chest. Although the first cases of Omicron were observed in late 2021, the variant might have been around for several months. 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 . "You will still be eligible for the upcoming fall booster that will have modifications to improve its effect against newer variants. "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].". 8. Antibodies From Vaccines vs. Antibodies From Natural Infection, How Vaccine Makers Are Tackling the Omicron Variant. "People said, 'It's the worst sore throat I've ever had.' Arwady's comments echo those of other medical experts who are watching omicron cases. Omicron BA.5 May Increase the Risk of Outdoor TransmissionHere's How to Stay Safe. Learn how vehicle tech like blind spot warnings and drowsy driving alerts can help make driving safer. Shortness of breath/difficulty breathing. COVID-19 Boosters Are Being Updated To Target Omicron SubvariantsHere's Why. "And in that five-to-seven-day window, you know, there's some depending on whether people have been vaccinated, underlying conditions, etc., but the risk drops a lot and the feeling is that in the general population, combined with masking, etc. "That's good because they're not getting seriously sick, they're not threatening the healthcare system, but it's certainly of some concern because they do have the potential to transmit to others.". Those who are boosted and vaccinated, or those who are fully vaccinated and not yet eligible for a booster shot, do not need to quarantine, but should wear masks for 10 days and also get tested five days after the exposure, unless they are experiencing symptoms. Diarrhea. New Covid Boosters Were Released Before Human TestingBut Experts Say They're Still Safe, What to Know About COVID Reinfections as BA.5 Cases Continue to Rise, What You Should Know About BA.2, a SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Variant. Side effect data isn't available yet because the new boosters were approved by the FDA and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention before fully completing their clinical trials. And theyre hiding a horrifying secret. From Delta to Omicron: Analysing the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in France using variant-specific screening tests (September 1 to December 18, 2021). At Atrium Health hospitals, where Dr. Passarettti works, hospitalizations due to the BA.5 variant spiked in mid-2022. According to data corralled by officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the viral subvariant which has yet to earn an informal nickname, but scientists have labeled BA.2.12.1 has been linked to 43% of total COVID-19 cases in the U.S., which is a major jump from the 7% it was accounting for back in early April. And what are some of the first signs of an infection? It's also important to remember that COVID-19 affects everyone differently. In case you cant find any email from our side, please check the spam folder. Other symptoms may show up with the newer strains, George Rutherford, MD, a professor of epidemiology at the University of California, San Francisco, told Health. The B.1.1.529 (Omicron) variant of SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) was first detected in specimens collected on November 11, 2021, in Botswana and on November 14 in South Africa;* the first confirmed case of Omicron in the United States was identified in California on December 1, 2021 (1).On November 29, the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services was notified of six . Health officials arenow recommendingthat everyone 12 and older get an updated booster shot thats designed to better target omicron and its subvariants. Find a COVID-19 vaccine or booster near you: https://t.co/xbvNiaVJKV. "It was really surprising, a lot of these sick patients that I was seeing, their oxygen saturations were extremely low and they just realized how short of breath they were when they came in.". But at 92 per cent, we'd be wanting you to come in for further examination," she said. The most common Omicron symptoms include cough, fatigue, and a runny nose, according to health officials in the US and Europe. Diarrhea. If you've been exposed to someone with COVID and are watching for symptoms, how can you tell if you've been infected? But notably, in those clinical trials, the severity of the side effects was very mild. The top symptoms with Omicron infections, according to a ZOE study, are . Get a FREE subscription to AARP The Magazine. Less severe symptoms may also be causing the new strains to spread faster. Until more people have been sick with BA.4 and BA.5 longer, it will be hard to pinpoint the specifics of these symptoms, Dr. Rutherford said. Unlike previous versions, Omicron symptoms are mild in fully vaccinated people. Those shots were never released to the public, because BA.1 was quickly surpassed by other omicron subvariants but their design is extremely similar to the shots now available at pharmacies and clinics nationwide. That said, lots of different factors can affect the severity of symptoms, the CDC says, and vaccination status is one of them. In Pfizer and Moderna's clinical trials for the BA.1 shots, participants who were already fully vaccinated with a booster shot received an updated booster dose. Inability to wake or stay awake. Others include headaches, muscle aches, runny nose, sneezing, nausea and loss of appetite. Read on to learn what you need to know about the subvariants and how to stay healthy. The updated booster shots contain the same number of micrograms, with 15 targeting the original strain and the other 15 targeting BA.4 and BA.5. JACKSONVILLE, Fla. Omicron cases on the . Finally, dont forget all the preventive efforts that can help you dodge an omicron infection in the first place. More true than ever right now because sick, even a little bit sick, until proven otherwise with a test - that's COVID. He also says that on top of vaccines, its important people wear masks, practice social distancing and avoid indoor crowds whenever possible. BA.5 alone was responsible for 81% of cases in October 2022. Fake customer care numbers are thriving in India. What Are Symptoms of BA.4 and BA.5 Variants? Omicron BA.2 was the dominant . These two new subtypes made up the majority of COVID cases in 2022, according to the CDC data tracker page. Night sweats, another symptom cited by a doctor at a media briefing in South Africa early in the country's Omicron wave, has been touted by tabloids as "a telltale sign which only happens at night . Many are asking these questions as omicron cases surge nationwide and as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention update their quarantine and isolation guidelines, which now differ depending on whether or not you have a symptomatic infection. Diarrhea. "We aren't seeing at this point in timealthough we continue to monitor closelya steep increase in our number of ICU stays or deaths from COVID," Dr. Passaretti said. It isnt always the case that a new version of the coronavirus brings about a new batch of symptoms. Sore throat. Pale, gray, or blue-colored skin, lips, or nail beds, depending on skin tone. Symptoms usually appear one to three days after exposure to a cold-causing virus. The good news is that overall, Omicron is milder than Delta in both vaccinated and unvaccinated people, Gulick says. Cold-like symptoms - including a runny nose, sore throat and persistent sneezing - became more common, along with a headache and cough, particularly in people who had been vaccinated. But other common COVID-19 symptoms, like cough, fever, and loss of smell or taste, are still important signs to watch out for with the Omicron . Editor's Note: This story, originally published Jan. 10, 2022, has been updated to reflect new information. CDC recommends the first COVID-19 booster. A stuffy nose was reported by 78%. "Initial symptoms appear to be related to a scratchy or sore throat, often quite mild," she says. Pfizer's trial found that about 52% of participants that received the BA.1 shot experienced mild pain at the injection site, 8% experienced moderate pain and only 0.3% experienced severe pain. Sore throat. You may not lose your sense of . What You Need to Know About the Updated COVID-19 Boosters. Wearing a mask is not really that hard; getting a vaccine and getting a booster is, for most people now, fairly accessible, she said. Nearly 70% experienced a headache. In a White House press briefing, Dr. Walensky noted that people still need to be vigilant in staying up to date on COVID-19 vaccines and boosters. COVID-19 might cause nausea, vomiting or diarrhea either alone or with other COVID-19 symptoms. Aria Bendix and Hilary Brueck. Please enable Javascript in your browser and try "At the moment, we don't have medications that we can prescribe that someone can take at home. The most commonly-reported symptoms with the original Omicron variant were cough, fatigue, headache, congestion, and runny nose. 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. Some symptoms of Omicron infection include fever, dry cough, runny nose, aches and pains, nausea and diarrhea. Here's a full list of known, potential COVID-19 symptoms for any individual, according to the CDC: Cough. Only 54% had a fever. Do Bivalent Boosters Protect Against XBB.1.5? . He said that symptoms such as runny nose, cough, headaches, and muscle aches remain the most common across different variants. The body's milder response to a BA.4 or BA.5 infection means people may not realize they have it and can spread it. Runny nose. "COVID-19 can be transmitted through poo . Individuals with Medicare can get up to eight free tests a month, and many private insurance plans also cover them. In the winter, when we experience cold and flu season, it can be hard to differentiate a COVID infection from other viruses. "Other early symptoms are sneezing, or a runny nose both of these often cause infected individuals to think they are suffering from allergies or a mild cold, which they hope is not COVID. "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. Gulick says people who are over 65 years old, those who are immunocompromised, and those with comorbidities such as obesity, diabetes, and hypertension, can still get seriously ill. Related articles Omicron variant symptoms: The 'surprise' sign . For some, symptoms last as much as 10 to 14 days. Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 caused the vast majority of COVID-19 infections in 2022. Stage three is when early symptoms start to pop up, like lower back ache, night sweats and a scratchy throat. Clinicians said many BA.5 symptoms are similar to those seen in previous variants, including congestion, headaches, cough and fever. 5, 2022. "We know that vaccine effectiveness against severe disease and death remains high for other Omicron [types] and likely also for BA.4 and 5," Walensky said. "They may only feel like they have a cold," she said. 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. A new subvariant of the Omicron strain of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that leads to a COVID-19 diagnosis, has overtaken earlier variations (including "stealth" Omicron) to likely become the most viral variant here in the United States. "This list is not all . Dont have insurance? What supplements should we really be taking? The CDC reports that people's most common complaints when infected with Omicron include cough, runny nose, congestion, and fatigue. Tweet. Other people may have muscle aches, fever . Are Symptoms of BA.4 and BA.5 More Severe? The BA.1 trials only tested a few hundred people, which is a relatively small sample size compared to the thousands of Americans set to receive the new BA.5 doses, Offit notes. 2021;34(10):666-668. doi:10.1089/vim.2021.0126. Some other lesser known symptoms include vomiting, lack of appetite, nausea and diarrhea according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. More than 101.3 million people have received a COVID-19 booster dose. Early infection symptoms that are commonly being noted with these particular infections may have something to do with that, explains Dr. Huang. The four most common symptoms of the omicron variant are cough, fatigue, congestion and runny nose, according to a CDC analysis of the first 43 cases investigated in the . Like the other Omicron strains that have been dominant in the U.S. since December 2021, experts say BA.4 and BA.5 mainly cause cold-like symptoms and respiratory or breathing issues. WATCH |CBC's Marketplace has tips on how to spot counterfeit masks: In the meantime, you can adapt existing masks for better protection to filter particles in the environment. While vaccine immunity helps lower the severity of infection, it doesnt offer complete protection.