They've often been associated with those who are feeling mild COVID-19 symptoms, including children, according to Insider. Please note that CBC does not endorse the opinions expressed in comments. A variety of newsletters you'll love, delivered straight to you. 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. Since it emerged in November 2021, the Omicron COVID variant has completely changed the course of the pandemic. How to Protect Against the Omicron Variant, Expect new treatments, more testing and additional variants, Using letters of the alphabet simplifies tracking, Join AARP for just $9 per year when you sign up for a 5-year term -43% off the standard annual rate, Access exclusive discounts, programs, & services, Double down with a FREE second membership. Muscle or body aches. "What we're seeing with pretty early data is household attack rates are very, very high with Omicron, even compared to other variants of SARS-CoV-2, and that was already fairly high," said Oughton. Headache. And theyre hiding a horrifying secret. But for the most part, most symptoms Rutherford was aware of were respiratory. AARP Members Only Access to Special Health Content, Access AARP health Smart Guides, articles and special content. Staring at a negative result, even with symptoms raging? It's also important to remember that COVID-19 affects everyone differently. 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. These include: A runny nose Others say it's trivial.". Fact-checked on July 14, 2022, by Marley Hall, a writer and fact checker specializing in medical and health information. So far, research shows that its more transmissible and causes less severe disease than earlier variants, like Delta. again. Flashback: Gastrointestinal symptoms have been mentioned as possible symptoms before. medRxiv. diarrhea. Learn how vehicle tech like blind spot warnings and drowsy driving alerts can help make driving safer. They do spread more quickly, however. Gastrointestinal symptoms, such as nausea or diarrhea. Of those, 220.2 million are fully vaccinated. Diarrhea. ", Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. When To Get Boosted After Having a COVID-19 Breakthrough Infection, CDC recommends the first COVID-19 booster, Trends in number of COVID-19 cases and deaths in the US reported to the CDC, by state/territory. Many people are reporting cold-like symptoms come with Omicron, particularly among the vaccinated or boosted. "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. New confusion. Fever or chills. Only 54% had a fever. 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 . Fatigue, or muscle and body aches. "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].". For . Muscle pain. Keep checking this story for updates on vaccination rates, latest data updates of new cases and the omicron variant, along with local and national headlines.Confirmed COVID-19 Cases in OklahomaThe Oklahoma State Department of Health announced it will no longer release daily COVID-19 situation updates as it moves toward the . Here are things you can do | CBC Radio Loaded. 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. Clinicians said many BA.5 symptoms are similar to those seen in previous variants, including congestion, headaches, cough and fever. The CDC announced the first known case of the omicron variant in the United States on Dec. 1, days after its . Both experts and public health officers seem to have noted that the BA.2.12.1 variant may be triggering mild breakthrough cases that don't prompt sick individuals to think about signing up for a COVID-19 test. Hundreds of Americans are still dying from COVID-19 each day. 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. "Many patients we're seeing are actually testing positive before they have symptoms, so they're testing positive on a rapid antigen," she said. Aside from classic Covid-19 symptoms, according to Dr. Singh, some of the distinguishing symptoms of the Omicron variant are: runny nose. 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. As of September 2022, BA.4 and BA.5 had been infecting large numbers of people for only a few months, making it difficult to confirm these slight differences in symptoms beyond what doctors were seeing. 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. Still, symptoms don't seem to be much different than for Omicron or other types of COVID-19 infection. The best way to prevent getting sick is to ensure you're up-to-date on your COVID vaccinations, including any recommended boosters (even if that means seeking out another vaccine brand manufacturer). Diarrhea; This list does not include all possible symptoms. Most reports indicate that even the latest Omicron subvariant doesn't lead to severe symptoms in breakthrough cases, nor a spike in hospitalizations or death outright. 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. "I think that people [are] having a very hard time wrapping their head around how much that Omicron has changed the rules of the game and how we have to change how we handle it in terms of our own individual risks, as well as our behaviour within a society," said Dr. Matthew Oughton, in an interview with Dr. Brian Goldman, host of CBC podcast The Dose. A doctor and pharmacist say many treatments for common colds and flu will also be helpful for double-vaccinated adults who are recovering from COVID-19 at home. 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. Definitely, ideally, you'd be seeking out that test at five and I would do it again, you know, at the seven, potentially at that 10. 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. That's a familiar list: It's the same group of side effects that came with the original . 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. If you experience diarrhea with COVID-19, you are not alone. Their data indicates that the five most reported Omicron symptoms are the same as those associated with Deltasymptoms that may be confused with the common cold, including runny nose, headache, fatigue, sneezing, and sore throat. Zoe COVID apps data showed, one in five patients gets COVID diarrhea after being infected with Delta or Omicron strains, even if they had two or three doses of vaccination. Sneezing. Together, the evidence shows a potential roadmap for the side effects you can expect after getting one of the new boosters, and how severe those side effects might be. Less severe symptoms may also be causing the new strains to spread faster. Copyright 2022 HT Digital Streams Ltd All Right Reserved. But we do know it to be more transmissible and more immune-evading. Diarrhea was slightly more . Get a FREE subscription to AARP The Magazine. stuffy nose. "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. 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. . In case you contract COVID, diarrhea can hit you on the first day of your infection and might increase in intensity during the first week of illness. You can still be confident going in, he says just don't be 100% sure what to expect. Omicron appears to be continuing the trend set by Delta. "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. "Initial symptoms appear to be related to a scratchy or sore throat, often quite mild," she says. Sore throat continues to be a symptom reported, particularly in mild breakthrough infections, Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady previously stated. Stay up to date on your COVID-19 vaccines and avoid poorly ventilated areas. Chills. Every new COVID-19 variant raises questions about how the symptoms from a new type might affect our health, and the BA.4 and BA.5 Omicron subvariants are no different. While the research continues to evolve, so far, it shows that vaccinated people are less likely to go on and have long COVID. At the same time, even with over 500 subvariants circulating, Omicron cousins have few things in common, they are all highly transmissible, replicate in the upper respiratory tract and they all have mutations that make them escape built-up immunity more easily. Rules and guidance around what to do are changing rapidly, but there are a few key things you need to know right now. Individuals with Medicare can get up to eight free tests a month, and many private insurance plans also cover them. 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. And if you are sick, or suspect you could be sick, stay home. The Omicron coronavirus variant is very transmissible, making it likely you or someone you know will catch it. The CDC . 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. "And then you get other people infected.". A problem, however, is that Omicrons symptoms can overlap with that of the common cold and flu. Aria Bendix and Hilary Brueck. Other people may have muscle aches, fever . Diarrhea. It found five symptoms were the most common: Over 80% commonly reported a cough, while 72% experienced a sore throat. 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. COVID-19 cases have been on the rise in the U.S., driven by an uptick in infections caused by the BA.2.12.1 subvariant most of which may not be diagnosed as early as possible due to a lack of testing, explains Sachin Nagrani, M.D., medical director at care provider Heal. 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. "It is highly anticipated that a more targeted vaccine to current variants will be needed for the fall.". Sneezing. The bigger picture: These symptoms are a sign that the omicron variant's symptoms are . 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. In the winter, when we experience cold and flu season, it can be hard to differentiate a COVID infection from other viruses. This may be the sniffles or a scratchy throat, some mild fatigue, fever, aches. Knowing the signs of Covid-19 is crucial to monitoring your own symptoms, or lack thereof. Omicron has numerous mutations with potential to increase transmissibility, confer resistance to therapeutics, or partially escape infection- or vaccine-induced . You are just one step away from creating your watchlist! "Please call your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you." But at 92 per cent, we'd be wanting you to come in for further examination," she said. Severe chest pains and worsening or severe shortness of breath are signs you should head to the hospital. @CDCgov is prepared to quickly identify any new variant & evaluate the public health impact.Updated variant proportions. And what are some of the first signs of an infection? "There's been an increase in the rate of COVID cases in the U.S. recently, currently above 80,000 [new] cases per day," he says, adding that it's dramatically less than the 800,000+ cases per day noted at the start of 2022. Unlike COVID-19, a cold is usually . However, many of the more common Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 symptoms are not severe, and you can often treat them at home. In fact, when comparing variants, there are usually more symptom similarities than there are differences, says Scott Roberts, M.D., assistant professor and associate medical director of infection prevention at Yale School of Medicine. Shortness of breath/difficulty breathing. Those looking to get tested after exposure should do so five days after the exposure or if they begin experiencing, the CDC recommends. As with the symptoms themselves, it was too early as of September 2022 to tell just how severely the variants might affect patients. And for the most part, that seems to hold true with omicron and its subvariants, including thenow-dominant BA.5. Roughly 26% of participants experienced a mild or moderate headache, while only 0.3% experienced a severe one. sore throat. Coronavirus or Cold Symptoms: How Do They Compare? 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. The omicron variant has now been identified in at least 32 states, and experts believe it will become the dominant strain in the U.S. . From Delta to Omicron: Analysing the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in France using variant-specific screening tests (September 1 to December 18, 2021). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 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. Diarrhea. From vegan to keto, which diet has the highest carbon footprint. Audience Relations, CBC P.O. ", As of May 9, 258.2 million people have received at least one dose of a #COVID19 vaccine. Listen. Verywell Health's content is for informational and educational purposes only. Anyone exhibiting symptoms should get tested for COVID-19. "Omicron, [meanwhile,] is less . Vaccination hesitancy and postacute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2: Is it time to reconsider? Log in to our website to save your bookmarks. Why Are There So Many Omicron SubvariantsAnd What Can They Tell Us About the Future of the Pandemic? Its also important to get your booster shot, wear a mask, and avoid large crowds whenever possible. 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. For those patients with asthma who are having a wheeze with this, we may prescribe puffers for them to help out," she said. KOCO 5 is keeping you updated on the COVID-19 pandemic in Oklahoma. 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. Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and appetite loss have been reported in a number of patients across age groups. Dr. Rutherford estimated that the number of cases might be more than twice that reported. "Occasionally there can be nausea and diarrhea," Gulick said. By Laura Hensley Oops! A passenger . Text Size. Moderna's trial found that nearly 59% of participants experienced fatigue, but only about 4% experienced that at a Grade 3 level, which is defined as significant fatigue that prevents daily activity. The COVID-19 Omicron variant and common flu: Symptoms and treatment . Diarrhea; What is the COVID omicron variant? We are also still learning about long COVID. Why are more workers returning to the office in Asia and Europe than the U.S.? A PCR test (short for polymerase chain reaction), administered at doctors offices or testing sites, can also confirm your suspicions. . 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. Think you may have Omicron? 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. More true than ever right now because sick, even a little bit sick, until proven otherwise with a test - that's COVID. But COVID-19 can cause symptoms you may not expect, including: Digestive symptoms. Sore throat. "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.". 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. Research published in April 2022 in The Lancet also found that . Your session has expired, please login again. Congestion or runny nose. Still, omicron appears to cause less severe illness than previous variants, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes. Any combination, and varying levels of severity, of the following symptoms may be triggered by an Omicron SARS-CoV-2 infection. As Gulick points out, getting booster shots is crucial. 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 . 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. Pseudonyms will no longer be permitted. If symptoms, like coughing, are bad, seek medical help.. 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 . 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. How to prevent infection by the BA.2.12.1 subvariant: People should also be aware that diarrhoea is not just a possible symptom of Covid but also features in numerous medical conditions. Nasal congestion/stuffy nose. For instance, some studies report that loss of taste and smell once a telltale sign of COVID-19 occurs less often in omicron infections. Runny nose. Early infection symptoms that are commonly being noted with these particular infections may have something to do with that, explains Dr. Huang. In both clinical trials, the most commonly reported side effects within seven days of receiving the shot were: That's a familiar list: It's the same group of side effects that came with the original formulations. Editor's Note: This story, originally published Jan. 10, 2022, has been updated to reflect new information. "The Coronavirus Self-Checker is an interactive clinical assessment tool that will assist individuals ages 13 and older, and parents and caregivers of children ages 2 to 12 on deciding when to seek testing or medical care if they suspect they or someone they know has contracted COVID-19 or has come into close contact with someone who has COVID-19," the CDC's website reads. "Rapid diagnosis, early diagnosis, and treatment is the way to go," Dr. Rutherford said. An associate practitioner administers a coronavirus vaccine at Elland Road in Leeds . According to the CDC, symptoms of Covid-19 include fever, shortness of breath, cough, loss of taste or . Fatigue. Omicron BA.2 was the dominant . 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. Wearing a mask is not really that hard; getting a vaccine and getting a booster is, for most people now, fairly accessible, she said. 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. World health leaders are warning that omicron, the new COVID variant discovered in November, could cause "severe consequences. "Please call your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you.". 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. ; And how to prevent infection by the BA.2.12.1 strain. Moreover, though they tend to cause less severe infections as compared to their predecessors, some symptoms seem to be common. The information in this article is current as of the date listed, which means newer information may be available when you read this. 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. Can Omicron symptoms be distinguished from Delta symptoms? ", As of May 9, 2022, national forecasts predict 90010,200 new #COVID19 hospitalizations will likely be reported on June 3. Theirstudy, published inThe Lancet, also suggests that brain fog and dizziness are less prevalent in omicron cases. 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.