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nausea or vomiting. Editor's Note: This story, originally published Jan. 10, 2022, has been updated to reflect new information. Sore throat continues to be a symptom reported, particularly in mild breakthrough infections, Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady previously stated. In the case of gastrointestinal illness, a doctor should be consulted, and a test should be administered immediately. Others say it's trivial.". But notably, in those clinical trials, the severity of the side effects was very mild. 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. If you're still wearing a single-ply cloth mask, it won't offer you enough protection and it's time to search out something better. 1. For some, symptoms last as much as 10 to 14 days. Marketplace also found some N95s held up better than others in testing. Starting the medications right away can significantly reduce your risks for being hospitalized with COVID-19. (Shilpa Thakur) Patients often get COVID diarrhea after being infected with Delta or Omicron . . New confusion. More than 101.3 million people have received a COVID-19 booster dose. As Gulick points out, getting booster shots is crucial. From vegan to keto, which diet has the highest carbon footprint. Closed Captioning and Described Video is available for many CBC shows offered on CBC Gem. Children tend to have more gastrointestinal symptoms, such as . About 90% of those hospitalized are unvaccinated, he said. Oughton cautions that the U.S. Centers for Disease Control recently warned about counterfeit respirators, like N95 masks, and says he wouldn't be surprised if Canadians experience the same problems. Those who are unvaccinated, however, are experiencing similar symptoms to early on in the pandemic, Arwady said. . Those looking to get tested after exposure should do so five days after the exposure or if they begin experiencing, the CDC recommends. If you experience diarrhea with COVID-19, you are not alone. Even those who have suffered from Delta and Alpha variants had also complained of this symptom. For those without symptoms, CDC guidance states they are considered contagious at least two days before their positive test. A problem, however, is that Omicrons symptoms can overlap with that of the common cold and flu. You can treat the milder symptomscough, sore throat, runny noseat home. . Emergency care for COVID-19 symptoms. Only 54% had a fever. "If any of these [symptoms] persist . Research also suggests that people who are infected with omicron aresick for shorter periods of timethan those with delta. So, an increase in the number of children affected is expected. Nearly 70% experienced a headache. Sofonea MT, Roquebert B, Foulongne V, et al. What should you do if you think you have Omicron? Still, omicron appears to cause less severe illness than previous variants, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes. Unlike previous versions, Omicron symptoms are mild in fully vaccinated people. They also reported that having diarrhea as a COVID symptom was found to be linked to a greater risk of hospitalization, especially among people who also experienced abdominal pain and unusual muscle pain. And will it take Utah for a wild ride?. This means people are at a higher risk of reinfection. "Sometimes they don't realize how short of breath they are until it's too late, particularly in younger patients," she said. 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. 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. It is one of the most common symptoms of the disease. But we do know it to be more transmissible and more immune-evading. So, he recommends masking at home, and opening windows to improve ventilation when you can, to help limit transmission. iStock. Here are things you can do | CBC Radio Loaded. You can still be confident going in, he says just don't be 100% sure what to expect. The CDC says to look for emergency warning signs for coronavirus. 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. 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 Omicron coronavirus variant is very transmissible, making it likely you or someone you know will catch it. 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. 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. Omicron symptoms overlap with typical cold symptoms, so it's very important to get tested if you have cold-like symptoms. How to prevent infection by the BA.2.12.1 subvariant: "[There are] adults who have had fevers of almost 40 degrees Centigrade [104 degrees Fahrenheit]," Dr. Rutherford told Health. "We have also crossed the grim milestone of 1 million American lives lost to COVID.". Patients often get COVID diarrhea after being infected with Delta or Omicron strains, even if they had two or three doses of vaccination. Cough. 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. The experience of COVID diarrhea is very similar to how we feel sick from a regular stomach bug. 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. Further, 30 percent of patients with the Alpha variant (dominant in late 2020) experienced diarrhea. 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. Pale, gray, or blue-colored skin, lips, or nail beds, depending on skin tone. Javascript must be enabled to use this site. Trends in number of COVID-19 cases and deaths in the US reported to the CDC, by state/territory. Testing, if you suspect you have COVID, can help curb spread and protect others. Idaho lawmaker wants to criminalize the most-used COVID-19 vaccines, What is Orthrus? Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription toAARP The Magazine. With previous coronavirus strains like Delta, the . It might happen due to the Omicron variant infection, and experts say that one should get tested for Covid-19 if you have these abdominal complaints even without respiratory symptoms or fever. Still, for those who are vaccinated and boosted but are still looking to be cautious, Arwady said an additional test at seven days could help. Aside from classic Covid-19 symptoms, according to Dr. Singh, some of the distinguishing symptoms of the Omicron variant are: runny nose. 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. Fever or chills. "Please call your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you." 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. When search suggestions are available use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. Wearing a mask is not really that hard; getting a vaccine and getting a booster is, for most people now, fairly accessible, she said. For the most recent updates on COVID-19, visit ourcoronavirus news page. 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. Shortness of breath/difficulty breathing. 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. More true than ever right now because sick, even a little bit sick, until proven otherwise with a test - that's COVID. Moderna's monovalent shot contains 50 micrograms of mRNA per dose targeting the original strain. "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].". Persistent pain or pressure in the chest. Why Are There So Many Omicron SubvariantsAnd What Can They Tell Us About the Future of the Pandemic? You're only eligible for the new boosters if you've completed a primary vaccination series, meaning most people will have already received at least two doses ahead of time. And for the most part, that seems to hold true with omicron and its subvariants, including thenow-dominant BA.5. According to the American Medical Association (AMA), the most common symptoms of BA.5 are: Fever. If you do have access to a rapid test, test yourself a day or so after a suspected exposure, and don't assume that your negative result means you're in the clear. The Omicron BA.4/BA.5-adapted bivalent vaccine is currently authorized as the third dose of the three-dose primary series for children in this age group. "Especially in people who we're seeing these more mild breakthrough infections, we are definitely seeing sore throat be a predictor in that group," Arwady said. 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. "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. Asking for help is a strength, not a weakness, Accenture exec says, How this 39-year-old earns $26,000 a year in California. "If you are eligible for the additional booster this spring, please get it to receive additional protection against both mild and severe disease," Dr. Huang advises. 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 . I'm going to work,'" Dr. Passaretti said. 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. "They may only feel like they have a cold," she said. Text Size. Flashback: Gastrointestinal symptoms have been mentioned as possible symptoms before. "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. Fatigue. More than 1 million prescriptions for these antiviral pills were filled at pharmacies between Dec. 23, 2021, and May 21, 2022,a CDC report shows. But Passaretti has heard that people with BA.5 or Omicron may experience worse fevers and sore throats. Others include headaches, muscle aches, runny nose, sneezing, nausea and loss of appetite. And ever since, vaccine and booster eligibility has only expanded. Rachel Nania writes about health care and health policy for AARP. A resident receives a Covid-19 booster shot at a vaccine clinic inside Trinity Evangelic Lutheran Church in Lansdale, Pennsylvania, U.S, on Tuesday, Apr. Less severe symptoms may also be causing the new strains to spread faster. 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. 5, 2022. Arwady's comments echo those of other medical experts who are watching omicron cases. In case you cant find any email from our side, please check the spam folder. . If you're not vaccinated or boosted, I certainly have a much higher concern that you could get infected. What Are Symptoms of BA.4 and BA.5 Variants? " 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. But COVID-19 can cause symptoms you may not expect, including: Digestive symptoms. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says people who test positive for COVID-19 need . Finally, dont forget all the preventive efforts that can help you dodge an omicron infection in the first place. December data from the ZOE COVID Study app, a global initiative to track COVID cases and symptoms, adds fatigue and sneezing to the list of common Omicron symptoms. Roughly 26% of participants experienced a mild or moderate headache, while only 0.3% experienced a severe one. Occasionally there can be nausea and diarrhea, Gulick said. Lab tests show some falling way short of filtration standards. Intelligence agencies have mixed opinions. People need to get their booster shots for the most protection. The federal agencies based their approvals off several other pieces of safety data, including evidence from the original Covid vaccines the updated formulations are merely a tweak to those originals and lab data on the shots' BA.5 element in mice. If youre unsure if you have a cold or COVID, get tested as soon as possible. Other people may have muscle aches, fever and chills. 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. A variety of newsletters you'll love, delivered straight to you. Flashback: Gastrointestinal symptoms have been mentioned as possible symptoms before. 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. 2022. doi:10.1101/2021.12.31.21268583, Arnold CG, Monte AA, Littlefield K, Vest A, Palmer BE. 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. Symptoms of Omicron infection may be different, too. AARP Members Only Access to Special Health Content, Access AARP health Smart Guides, articles and special content. That's a familiar list: It's the same group of side effects that came with the original . 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. Cough. Oughton is mindful many places across Canada may be experiencing cold weather, so open windows may be a limited solution. And what are some of the first signs of an infection? Get a FREE subscription to AARP The Magazine. World health leaders are warning that omicron, the new COVID variant discovered in November, could cause "severe consequences. The Omicron variant is so transmissible and so widespread across Canadathat it's likely that you know someone who has it right now, or you have it yourself. Omicron appears to be continuing the trend set by Delta. 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. You are now leaving AARP.org and going to a website that is not operated by AARP. 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. Vaccination hesitancy and postacute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2: Is it time to reconsider? Omicron BA.5 May Increase the Risk of Outdoor TransmissionHere's How to Stay Safe. "Initial symptoms appear to be related to a scratchy or sore throat, often quite mild," she says. Previously she was a reporter and editor for WTOP Radio in Washington, D.C. A recipient of a Gracie Award and a regional Edward R. Murrow Award, she also participated in a dementia fellowship with the National Press Foundation. If someone else in your household has tested positive or has symptoms, it's probably safe to assume you do, too. Fever. "Occasionally there can be nausea and diarrhea," Gulick said. Loss of smell or taste. AARP Membership - LIMITED TIME FLASH SALE. 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 . Headache. Fake customer care numbers are thriving in India. Diarrhea; This list does not include all possible symptoms. If You've Never Had COVID Are You More Susceptible to Variants? You can also notify the operator that you believe you or someone you are caring for has COVID. Diarrhea; What is the COVID omicron variant? Sore throat. Nausea. New confusion. Its also important to get your booster shot, wear a mask, and avoid large crowds whenever possible. While vaccine immunity helps lower the severity of infection, it doesnt offer complete protection. Is your N95-style mask failing you? A stuffy nose was reported by 78%. Again, everyone is different and will experience their own early symptoms, but these seem to be among the group reported be most patients. Omicron-positive patients suffer from gut-related problems like Nausea, Diarrhoea, Vomiting, Abdominal pain, Heartburn and Bloating As with the symptoms themselves, it was too early as of September 2022 to tell just how severely the variants might affect patients. Your session has expired, please login again. Health officials arenow recommendingthat everyone 12 and older get an updated booster shot thats designed to better target omicron and its subvariants. 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. Be sure to check with your pharmacist if you are taking other medications that those painkillers might interfere with. Health's content is for informational and educational purposes only. 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. the risk really is very low.". Will BA.2 Cause Another COVID Wave in the U.S.? Coronavirus or Cold Symptoms: How Do They Compare? Listen. Previously common symptoms such as shortness of breath, fever and loss of smell fell down the rankings. Box 500 Station A Toronto, ON Canada, M5W 1E6. An increase in new cases is being linked to common symptoms related to this highly contagious variant, which may be indistinguishable from other seasonal conditions this spring. "You will still be eligible for the upcoming fall booster that will have modifications to improve its effect against newer variants. 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). "If you want to be extra careful, you can do it at 10, but just with what we're seeing, I would consider you really in the clear. "It is highly anticipated that a more targeted vaccine to current variants will be needed for the fall.". pic.twitter.com/PcgVBYojKi. Comments are welcome while open. congestion or runny nose. Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea have been COVID symptoms since the initial COVID struck and may still strike you. If you're thinking of getting an omicron-specific Covid booster shot, you might be wondering what its side effects are and how severe they might be. 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. However, protection against hospitalization and death have remained high, preventing millions of people from dying, WHO pointed out, Download the Mint app and read premium stories. 2021;34(10):666-668. doi:10.1089/vim.2021.0126. 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!). The latest Omicron SARS-CoV-2 subvariant, which scientists have labeled BA.2.12.1, is on track to become the most virulent strain in the United States currently. again. diarrhea. 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. Even if Omicron can feel like "just a cold to those fully vaccinated, it is much more transmissible. Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. Chest pain. Please enable Javascript in your browser and try The device monitors blood oxygen levels. An 85-year Harvard study found the No. Clinicians said many BA.5 symptoms are similar to those seen in previous variants, including congestion, headaches, cough and fever. 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. Early infection symptoms that are commonly being noted with these particular infections may have something to do with that, explains Dr. Huang. "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. 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. Sore, scratchy throat . A sore throat and hoarse voice may also be more common among people infected with omicron, compared with delta, researchers in the U.K. discovered. The Omicron variant has seen a change in symptoms being reported though. 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. That said, lots of different factors can affect the severity of symptoms, the CDC says, and vaccination status is one of them. How to treat yourself at home if you get COVID-19, Why COVID-19 hospitalizations of Canadian kids and infants could keep rising as Omicron spreads. Because omicron symptoms can be mistaken for the common cold or flu, doctors urge anyone experiencing them to isolate until symptoms subside. A study conducted by researchers in Norway, following an omicron outbreak in November 2021, interviewed over a hundred individuals, with 89% vaccinated but not boosted. All Rights Reserved, These 5 symptoms are the most common in omicron, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data. At Atrium Health hospitals, where Dr. Passarettti works, hospitalizations due to the BA.5 variant spiked in mid-2022. We are also still learning about long COVID. 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 . You are now subscribed to our newsletters. Comments on this story are moderated according to our Submission Guidelines. Runny nose. What we are finding with the omicron variant is that people are having symptoms that are similar to a common cold, which is what the vaccination does by changing a severe disease to a milder infection. Loss of appetite makes sense, too, if one of the main new symptoms is vomiting. Those symptoms include sore throat, runny nose, aches and pains, a dry cough, fever, nausea and diarrhea. Check with your local health center or testing site (find one oncovid.gov/tests) many are offering them for free. 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. However, many of the more common Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 symptoms are not severe, and you can often treat them at home. Since it emerged in November 2021, the Omicron COVID variant has completely changed the course of the pandemic. But unlike delta, many patients are not losing their taste or smell. The most common Omicron symptoms include cough, fatigue, and a runny nose, according to health officials in the US and Europe. Read on to learn more about the newest Omicron subvariant and its most common symptoms. WATCH | Tips for treatingyour Omicron symptoms: If you can, it's important to get vaccinated or boosted. 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. ; And how to prevent infection by the BA.2.12.1 strain. Stay up to date on your COVID-19 vaccines and avoid poorly ventilated areas. This abandoned high school was converted into a 31-unit apartment building, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, now available at pharmacies and clinics nationwide, held true during the last round of booster shots, Redness and swelling at the injection site.