"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. Individuals over the age of 50 or those considered to be clinically immunocompromised are encouraged to seek out a second booster dose of an mRNA vaccine now to keep infection risks low. Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 caused the vast majority of COVID-19 infections in 2022. "We have also crossed the grim milestone of 1 million American lives lost to COVID.". The top symptoms with Omicron infections, according to a ZOE study, are . "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. A mild infection then could still leave you with a high fever, chills and muscle aches, and kind of knock you out for a few days, she said. Add some good to your morning and evening. Why Are There So Many Omicron SubvariantsAnd What Can They Tell Us About the Future of the Pandemic? ", 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. Early infection symptoms that are commonly being noted with these particular infections may have something to do with that, explains Dr. Huang. Over 80% commonly reported a cough, while 72% experienced a sore throat. These symptoms are a sign that the omicron variant's symptoms are unpredictable. According to the Zoe health app, COVID diarrhea can last for up to seven days. 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. Previously common symptoms such as shortness of breath, fever and loss of smell fell down the rankings. Your session has expired, please login again. AARP Members Only Access to Special Health Content, Access AARP health Smart Guides, articles and special content. New confusion. If you have the symptoms of an upper respiratory tract infection, "right now the chances that it's Omicron are very, very high," said Oughton. Runny or stuffy nose. pic.twitter.com/VDB1VghCFn, Rochelle Walensky, MD, MPH (@CDCDirector) April 27, 2022, Dr. Huang adds that hospitalizations have remained low and it may be because Americans simply aren't aware they're dealing with a bonafide SARS-CoV-2 infection. Fake customer care numbers are thriving in India. "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. Babcock acknowledges that there is social fatigue with the pandemic and its safety precautionsbut says they remain important. Rules and guidance around what to do are changing rapidly, but there are a few key things you need to know right now. Fever. What supplements should we really be taking? Diarrhea. Arwady's comments echo those of other medical experts who are watching omicron cases. Anyone exhibiting symptoms should get tested for COVID-19. "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. Health's content is for informational and educational purposes only. If you've been exposed to someone with COVID and are watching for symptoms, how can you tell if you've been infected? 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. Loss of smell or taste. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. According to earlier CDC guidance, COVID symptoms can appear anywhere from two to 14 days after someone is exposed to the virus. "COVID-19 can be transmitted through poo . The omicron variant mostly affects the throat, therefore, most of the symptoms associated with this variant are upper respiratory problems. Omicron-positive patients suffer from gut-related problems like Nausea, Diarrhoea, Vomiting, Abdominal pain, Heartburn and Bloating Rest assured: They're not expected to be much different from what you may have experienced with previous vaccine and booster doses. She's the deputy medical director of the emergency departments at the University Health Network in Toronto. 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. Are Symptoms of BA.4 and BA.5 More Severe? In the world of infectious disease and epidemiology, mild doesnt always mean sniffles; the marker of a mild disease is whether or not people end up in the hospital. Because omicron symptoms can be mistaken for the common cold or flu, doctors urge anyone experiencing them to isolate until symptoms subside. Diarrhea. Some people may experience nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. In the winter, when we experience cold and flu season, it can be hard to differentiate a COVID infection from other viruses. If you're not vaccinated or boosted, I certainly have a much higher concern that you could get infected. Omicron has been circulating in the U.S. for just about a year now, and in that time, researchers have learned more about the variant, including the symptoms it can cause. "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. Since BA.4 and BA.5 have become the dominant strains, Dr. Wesley Long, an experimental pathologist at Houston Methodist Hospital,told CNNthat he has seen cases of reinfection. The same concept held true during the last round of booster shots. With some omicron cases, particularly breakthrough infections in those who are boosted and vaccinated, remaining mild, many are wondering how to tell if it's a cold, the flu or COVID-19. The new shots have the same dosage amounts as the original vaccines, which further suggests that their safety profiles could be similar, Offit says. " 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. Very sick patients often feel short of breath, says Dr. Lisa Salamon, an emergency physician with Scarborough Health Network in Toronto. "It is clear that the disproportionate share of infections are those that are weathered at home," she says. All Rights Reserved, These 5 symptoms are the most common in omicron, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data. Even if Omicron can feel like "just a cold to those fully vaccinated, it is much more transmissible. Cosmopolitan, Sign up for Yahoo Lifes daily newsletter, how current vaccines stack up in protecting Americans, yet to receive a recommended third booster vaccine, Women who had ovarian cysts share their stories, A sugar replacement may be linked to heart attacks and strokes, but don't throw it out yet. Headache. Severe side effects are "generally" most common after receiving a second dose of a vaccine, not after receiving a third or fourth dose, says Offit. Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and appetite loss have been reported in a number of patients across age groups. "We just don't have any data on this [yet], essentially giving two vaccines in one shot but biologically, I just wouldn't expect the side effects, severity or the safety profile of the shots to be different from the current mRNA vaccines and boosters," Dr. Paul Offit, director of the Vaccine Education Center at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and member of an independent advisory group to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, tells CNBC Make It. 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. Viral Immunology. 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. More: https://t.co/Xys80ZGlxV. So far, research shows that its more transmissible and causes less severe disease than earlier variants, like Delta. And will it take Utah for a wild ride?. 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. Here's what we know about what a BA.4 or BA.5 infection can look like and whether symptoms are any more severe than other COVID-19 strains. The CDC announced the first known case of the omicron variant in the United States on Dec. 1, days after its . Another consideration: Shortly after omicron burst on the scene, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized twoantiviral medicationsthat can help keep a mild infection from progressing to a serious one. Runny nose. Omicron has become the dominant variant of the coronavirus in the U.S. Our understanding of the variant continues to evolve, but we know more about Omicron now than we did when it first appearedincluding its symptoms. Cough. By the time omicron arrived near the end of 2021, we had a more highly vaccinated population, says Laraine Washer, M.D., an infectious disease physician at University of Michigan. Communities can avoid major complications and deaths from the BA.4 and BA.5 variants the same way as with any other variant. Dr. Rutherford estimated that the number of cases might be more than twice that reported. 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. Omicron symptoms overlap with typical cold symptoms, so it's very important to get tested if you have cold-like symptoms. "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. According to the American Medical Association (AMA), the most common symptoms of BA.5 are: Fever. BA.2.12.1 cases are coming at a time when spring allergies are affecting many Americans, which is why it's crucial to identify potentially misleading symptoms and consider COVID-19 testing sooner. Looks like you have exceeded the limit to bookmark the image. What should you do if you think you have Omicron? Find a COVID-19 vaccine or booster near you: https://t.co/xbvNiaVJKV. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky called them "more transmissible and more immune evading" than other Omicron variants in a 2022 White House press briefing. Sometimes a fever. 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. "This variant is about 25% more contagious than the original Omicron variant that entered the U.S. last fall seemingly accounting for about 40% of current cases," she tells Good Housekeeping. Although milder symptoms are better in many respects, omicron has made itmore difficult for people to tellwhats COVID-19 and whats just a cold or the flu or a whole host of other respiratory illnesses that circulate this time of year. People infected with BA.5 may experience these typical COVID-19 symptoms, sore throat, and fatigue, but they are less likely to report fevers or loss of taste and smell, said Andy Pekosz, PhD, a virologist and professor . For those without symptoms, CDC guidance states they are considered contagious at least two days before their positive test. And for the most part, that seems to hold true with omicron and its subvariants, including thenow-dominant BA.5. This is likely how BA.2.12.1 is spreading quite rapidly; in the tri-state area of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut alone, the viral subvariant is tied to upwards of 70% of new infections alone, per recent reports. 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. Inability to wake or stay awake. Still, symptoms don't seem to be much different than for Omicron or other types of COVID-19 infection. As with the symptoms themselves, it was too early as of September 2022 to tell just how severely the variants might affect patients. Diarrhea. 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. Gastrointestinal symptoms, such as nausea or diarrhea. It found five symptoms were the most common: Over 80% commonly reported a cough, while 72% experienced a sore throat. COVID-19 might cause nausea, vomiting or diarrhea either alone or with other COVID-19 symptoms. A U.K. study of around 750,000 people found recently that the top five symptoms for both the Delta and Omicron variants are currently a runny nose, headache, fatigue, sneezing, and a sore throat . sore throat. 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. Once a classic sign of COVID-19 infection, loss of sense of smell or taste seems to be less common among patients getting sick with BA.4 and BA.5, Dr. Passaretti noted. By Laura Hensley Mild or severe fatigue. You are just one step away from creating your watchlist! Fatigue. COVID-19 Boosters Are Being Updated To Target Omicron SubvariantsHere's Why. 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. The most commonly-reported symptoms with the original Omicron variant were cough, fatigue, headache, congestion, and runny nose. Its possible you have COVID-19 but took the test before the virus was detectable. . Those symptoms include sore throat, runny nose, aches and pains, a dry cough, fever, nausea and diarrhea. The bigger picture: These symptoms are a sign that the omicron variant's symptoms are . Monitoring variant proportions. Loss of appetite. Many people are reporting cold-like symptoms come with Omicron, particularly among the vaccinated or boosted. In earlier variants, infection caused more harm to the lungs. What You Need to Know About the Updated COVID-19 Boosters. We also need to keep in mind the true definition of mild, Hilary Babcock, MD, a professor of medicine who specializes in prevention of infection transmission at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, told Verywell. ", Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. By submitting a comment, you accept that CBC has the right to reproduce and publish that comment in whole or in part, in any manner CBC chooses. Muscle or body aches. Let's delve deeper to understand this: Zoe COVID app, which keeps track of COVID symptoms through positive patients using the app, notified that most Omicron patients complain of diarrhea. O'Connor says that many emergency departments across Canada are offering virtual consultations, and she suggests people try that first before coming to hospital. The experience of COVID diarrhea is very similar to how we feel sick from a regular stomach bug. 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. If you know or think you've got Omicron, stay home. "If you have the luxury of a living arrangement where you can have your own sleeping quarters and bathroom and ideally, sort of a sectioned off area of the house, I guess that's ideal," saidOughton. 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. But health experts have noted a few differences between the omicron family and its predecessors. 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. Editor's Note: This story, originally published Jan. 10, 2022, has been updated to reflect new information. Join AARP for just $9 per yearwhen you sign up for a 5-year term. ", As of May 9, 258.2 million people have received at least one dose of a #COVID19 vaccine. Earlier this month the most common signs of Omicron symptoms were revealed after sufferers logged their ailments in an extensive ZOE Covid Study - with the top five remaining as runny nose, headache, fatigue, sneezing and a sore throat. CDC will continue to update this list as they learn more about the virus. She recommends taking ibuprofen (also known by the brand name Advil) or acetaminophen (also known as Tylenol), or cold and flu medication that includes those painkillers. "The most reported symptoms of Omicron are really very much like a cold, especially in people who have been vaccinated," says Dr. Claire Steves of King's College London. "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].". 2022. doi:10.1101/2021.12.31.21268583, Arnold CG, Monte AA, Littlefield K, Vest A, Palmer BE. Diarrhea as a symptom of COVID-19 has significant consequences for public health. "And then you get other people infected.". Babcock says Omicron hasnt been around long enough yet to have a good sense of whether it is different from earlier variants when it comes to the likelihood of lingering symptoms. Salamon also noted it's important for people who are seriously ill withCOVID,or another medical condition,to seek care at the hospital without hesitation. According to the CDC, the incubation period for COVID is between two and 14 days, though the newest guidance from the agency suggests a quarantine of five days for those who are not boosted, but eligible or unvaccinated. Tiredness. Any combination, and varying levels of severity, of the following symptoms may be triggered by an Omicron SARS-CoV-2 infection. While health officials didn't know as of September 2022 how they might affect the population, the good news is that symptoms don't seem to be that much different or worse than with Omicron or other types of COVID-19. Sore throat. Why are more workers returning to the office in Asia and Europe than the U.S.? 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. Chills. sore throat. Diarrhea; This list does not include all possible symptoms. 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. And Will I Need It Again? While vaccine immunity helps lower the severity of infection, it doesnt offer complete protection. "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. 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. Please enable Javascript in your browser and try Can Omicron symptoms be distinguished from Delta symptoms? So, he recommends masking at home, and opening windows to improve ventilation when you can, to help limit transmission. Knowing the signs of Covid-19 is crucial to monitoring your own symptoms, or lack thereof. Oops! Nearly 70% experienced a headache. "People said, 'It's the worst sore throat I've ever had.' Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. So, an increase in the number of children affected is expected. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Risk for severe illness stemming from this particular subvariant applies to those who have yet to be vaccinated against COVID-19, or those who have had an incomplete vaccination series as well as those who have yet to receive a recommended third booster vaccine. 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.

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