As infections of the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-ii — the virus that causes COVID-xix — go along to spread around the world, there have been reports that symptoms, in some respects, are different from those of Delta variant infections. Practice symptoms really differ? What should yous look out for?

Share on Pinterest
What do we know virtually the symptoms of an infection with the Omicron variant? Epitome credit: Pierre Crom/Getty Images.

All data and statistics are based on publicly available information at the time of publication. Some information may exist out of appointment. Visit our coronavirus hub and follow our live updates page for the about recent information on the COVID-19 pandemic.

On November 26, 2021, the World Health Organization (WHO) indicated a new SARS-CoV-2 variant of concern, which became known as Omicron.

The variant has acquired concern among health authorities because it appears to exist highly transmissible and likelier to reinfect.

In that location have also been some worries that Omicron can bypass the protection conferred past COVID-19 vaccines. Pfizer maintains that 3 doses of its mRNA vaccine are able to neutralize Omicron in laboratory experiments and that ii doses may withal prevent serious illness following infection with this variant.

For these reasons, countries worldwide have been taking various measures and precautions to reduce the spread of Omicron amid their populations.

Nevertheless, within a world in constant motion, information technology may be impossible to stop it from spreading altogether. Some crusade for optimism may exist that various reports propose that infections with this variant tend to cause milder symptoms than those with previous SARS-CoV-2 variants, such as Delta.

But how tin someone tell if they accept the Omicron infection? Are the symptoms the same every bit those of infections with previous variants?

The Centers for Disease Command and Prevention (CDC) lists the possible symptoms of a SARS-CoV-2 infection without specifying a variant. These are:

  • fever or chills
  • coughing
  • shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • fatigue
  • muscle or torso aches
  • headache
  • new loss of taste or smell
  • sore throat
  • congestion or runny nose
  • nausea or vomiting
  • diarrhea

However, the CDC notes this list is not exhaustive, and people might feel dissimilar symptoms or combinations of symptoms. Furthermore, anecdotal reports on social media and other platforms merits that more than specific combinations of symptoms characterize Omicron infections.

The Zoe COVID Written report — conducted past researchers from health science company ZOE and King's Higher London in the United Kingdom — uses data from over four,000,000 participants.

The study'southward recent analysis aimed to determine whether in that location were any differences between the about common symptoms of infection with the Delta variant and the most common symptoms of infection with Omicron.

They compared symptoms reported via the Zoe COVID Study app by U.One thousand. participants who tested positive for COVID-19 in October 2021, when Delta was dominant in the U.Yard., with those who tested positive in December 2021 when Omicron had get the ascendant variant.

Preliminary analysis indicated that the most unremarkably reported symptoms reported in both months were largely the aforementioned: a runny nose, headache, fatigue, sneezing, and a sore throat.

The findings suggest no strong differences in the well-nigh usually experienced symptoms likely caused by the two SARS-CoV-ii variants.

All the same, co-ordinate to this cocky-reported data, the ZOE scientists besides note that loss of aroma and sense of taste appear to be less common amongst people recently testing positive for COVID-19.

Medical News Today spoke to Dr. David K. Cutler, family unit medico at Saint John's Doctor Partners in Santa Monica, CA, to find out more about doctors' advice regarding symptoms of an Omicron infection.

Dr. Cutler reiterated that symptoms vary and may non stand out in any particular way, compared to signs of infection with previous variants.

"The variety of symptoms seen with Omicron is the same as with other SARS-CoV-2 variants," he said. "Information technology seems quite notable that people affected past the same variant may experience quite different symptoms. Some get nasal stuffiness, others headache, sometimes body aches, and others get a sore throat."

However, he noted, "[s]erious lung infections announced to exist less likely with Omicron than [with] prior variants."

That may be because, unlike other variants, Omicron preferentially infects the upper respiratory tract. This may also be why information technology seems to cause milder symptoms, co-ordinate to WHO Incident Managing director Abdi Mahamud.

"Nosotros are seeing more than and more than studies pointing out that Omicron is infecting the upper part of the body. Dissimilar the other ones, that could cause astringent pneumonia," he says, though cautions that more than studies are necessary to ostend this.

In that location have also been some anecdotal reports that lateral flow tests — also known as LFTs — may be less effective at detecting the presence of an Omicron infection.

Such tests, which people tin do at habitation, are based on samples taken from a person's nose, throat, or both and are meant to detect sure viral antigens, which indicate the presence of a viral infection.

According to Dr. Cutler, "[l]ateral menses tests are inherently inaccurate [considering] [t]hey do not discover low levels of virus as well as PCR tests."

RT-PCR tests, or PCR for short, are based on samples taken from both a person'due south nose and throat. These samples, however, undergo laboratory testing, which tin reveal whether SARS-CoV-2 specific genes are nowadays. PCR tests are more sensitive and mostly held equally being more accurate.

Testing for genetic markers tin can also reveal, more than specifically, the SARS-CoV-two variant.

Some health agencies, such as the U.Grand. Wellness Security Agency (UKHSA), have nevertheless declared that, when used correctly, LFTs should detect infections with any SARS-CoV-two variant in most cases.

A laboratory evaluation of lateral flow devices currently in utilize in the U.Thou by the UKHSA also suggests that LFTs observe Omicron as effectively as previous variants.

What happens if you lot become infected with the Omicron variant, and symptoms are balmy enough not to require hospitalized intendance? How can yous treat a mild infection at home?

"In that location are no specific home not-prescription drug remedies for preventing or treating [COVID-19]," Dr. Cutler noted.

The best remedies are like to those you might use to care for balmy influenza symptoms or a cold:

"Recommended treatment is directed at the symptoms: stay hydrated, rested, and well-nourished. Accept acetaminophen or ibuprofen to save headache, body aches, or fever. Avoid unproven remedies like hydroxychloroquine, ivermectin, zinc, and vitamin D, which have no known value and tin can cause adverse furnishings."

– Dr. David M. Cutler

As they say, though, prevention is better than cure, so taking measures to protect ourselves and our loved ones from becoming infected with Omicron or any other SARS-CoV-2 variant is the best approach.

"The all-time method to foreclose infection with any SARS-CoV-2 variant is a multiple technique approach," explained Dr. Cutler. "I like to call this a 'Swiss cheese' approach."

"[J]ust like you lot demand multiple layers of Swiss cheese then that you lot can't meet any ham through the cheese holes in a sandwich, you need multiple types of protection to forbid [COVID-19]. No i protective technique is 100% effective. Vaccines, masks, distancing, ventilation, and avoiding ill or unvaccinated people are all important and effective to preclude you from getting [an] infection. And isolating when you are infected is critical in preventing you from spreading [the virus] to others."

– David Thou. Cutler

For live updates on the latest developments regarding COVID-19, click here.