More than 101.3 million people have received a COVID-19 booster dose. O'Connor says that some people with greater medical riskare being sent home from UHN hospitals with home oxygen monitors, also known as pulse oximeters. Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription toAARP The Magazine. 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 . The good news is that overall, Omicron is milder than Delta in both vaccinated and unvaccinated people, Gulick says. Still, symptoms don't seem to be much different than for Omicron or other types of COVID-19 infection. 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. "Please call your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you.". The most common Omicron symptoms include cough, fatigue, and a runny nose, according to health officials in the US and Europe. Previously common symptoms such as shortness of breath, fever and loss of smell fell down the rankings. 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 . Peter Gulick, DO, an associate professor of medicine at Michigan State University, told Verywell that the symptoms of Omicron mainly remain in the upper respiratory tract and can include a sore throat, congestion, runny nose and headache. "In children, Omicron can lead to gastrointestinal illnesses with symptoms including high fever, diarrhea, and vomiting, which may cause dehydration. 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. Laura Hensley is an award-winning lifestyle journalist who has worked in some of the largest newsrooms in Canada. Rest assured: They're not expected to be much different from what you may have experienced with previous vaccine and booster doses. "Occasionally there can be nausea and diarrhea," Gulick said. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC says to look for emergency warning signs for coronavirus. Omicron has numerous mutations with potential to increase transmissibility, confer resistance to therapeutics, or partially escape infection- or vaccine-induced . AARP Membership - LIMITED TIME FLASH SALE. "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].". 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. 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. "You should get tested for COVID-19 if you develop any of the 11 known COVID symptoms," says Dr . 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. Viral Immunology. Is your N95-style mask failing you? 2023 Dotdash Media, Inc. All rights reserved, Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. What You Need to Know About the Updated COVID-19 Boosters. She repeated earlier calls for people who have any flu- or cold-like symptoms to assume they have COVID "until proven otherwise. 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. So can other COVID-19 complaints like headache and muscle pain. 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. 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. 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. "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. But health experts have noted a few differences between the omicron family and its predecessors. 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. CDC will continue to update this list as they learn more about the virus. Communities can avoid major complications and deaths from the BA.4 and BA.5 variants the same way as with any other variant. Peter Gulick, DO, an associate professor of medicine at Michigan State University, told Verywell that the symptoms of Omicron mainly remain in the upper respiratory tract and can include a sore throat, congestion, runny nose and headache. The evidence so far, according to Poehling, is anecdotal and not based on scientific research. 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. Vomiting. "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. 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. Cough. Editor's Note: This story, originally published Jan. 10, 2022, has been updated to reflect new information. How Are the BA.4 and BA.5 Variants Different? And if you are sick, or suspect you could be sick, stay home. "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. 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. COVID-19 Boosters Are Being Updated To Target Omicron SubvariantsHere's Why. They've often been associated with those who are feeling mild COVID-19 symptoms, including children, according to Insider. Copyright 2023 Deseret News Publishing Company. Clinicians said many BA.5 symptoms are similar to those seen in previous variants, including congestion, headaches, cough and fever. Banerjee A. Omicron estimated to be 95.4% of coronavirus variants in U.S. - CDC. Closed Captioning and Described Video is available for many CBC shows offered on CBC Gem. Chest pain. 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. Oughton is mindful many places across Canada may be experiencing cold weather, so open windows may be a limited solution. Asking for help is a strength, not a weakness, Accenture exec says, How this 39-year-old earns $26,000 a year in California. The symptoms that arise from a case of COVID-19 caused by the now-dominant omicron strain known as BA.5 don't seem to differ from those caused by its parent variant or any of the other omicron offshoots, experts say. Idaho lawmaker wants to criminalize the most-used COVID-19 vaccines, What is Orthrus? iStock. But we do know it to be more transmissible and more immune-evading. Listen. Individuals with Medicare can get up to eight free tests a month, and many private insurance plans also cover them. Others include headaches, muscle aches, runny nose, sneezing, nausea and loss of appetite. This means people are at a higher risk of reinfection. The information in this article is current as of the date listed, which means newer information may be available when you read this. "If any of these [symptoms] persist . The Omicron coronavirus variant is very transmissible, making it likely you or someone you know will catch it. "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. Some other lesser known symptoms include vomiting, lack of appetite, nausea and diarrhea according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. For those patients with asthma who are having a wheeze with this, we may prescribe puffers for them to help out," she said. Omicron BA.5 May Increase the Risk of Outdoor TransmissionHere's How to Stay Safe. Pseudonyms will no longer be permitted. Read our, Experts Explain How COVID-19 May Be Causing New Cases of Diabetes, Too Soon to Tell If Omicron Will Create More Long COVID, What You Need to Know About the XBB.1.5 'Kraken' Variant. The bigger picture: These symptoms are a sign that the omicron variant's symptoms are . Shortness of breath, difficulty breathing. Sneezing. 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. Read our. The potential for the virus to be transmitted via the fecal-oral route presents additional challenges for areas . If you've been exposed to someone with COVID and are watching for symptoms, how can you tell if you've been infected? Nasal congestion/stuffy nose. Sofonea MT, Roquebert B, Foulongne V, et al. Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing. Again, everyone is different and will experience their own early symptoms, but these seem to be among the group reported be most patients. Of those, 220.2 million are fully vaccinated. 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. "People said, 'It's the worst sore throat I've ever had.' But if you're gonna do it once do it in five and I feel good about that.". Rapid antigen tests may be just as hard to find. "So if you're feeling at all under the weather, please make sure that you get a test, make . 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. The most commonly-reported symptoms with the original Omicron variant were cough, fatigue, headache, congestion, and runny nose. 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. I have seen some cases of reinfection with people who had a BA.2 variant in the last few months, he added. It does indeed seem that BA.2.12.1 is more easily transmissible than earlier strains of Omicron SARS-CoV-2, as experts have established it is about 25% more transmissible than "stealth" Omicron, or about 75% more transmissible than original Omicron strains that impacted the 2021 winter holiday season. People with prior infection, even with BA.1 and BA.2, are likely still at risk for BA.4 or BA.5.. Roughly 26% of participants experienced a mild or moderate headache, while only 0.3% experienced a severe one. JACKSONVILLE, Fla. Omicron cases on the . But notably, in those clinical trials, the severity of the side effects was very mild. Staring at a negative result, even with symptoms raging? Find a COVID-19 vaccine or booster near you: https://t.co/xbvNiaVJKV. Any combination, and varying levels of severity, of the following symptoms may be triggered by an Omicron SARS-CoV-2 infection. Those looking to get tested after exposure should do so five days after the exposure or if they begin experiencing, the CDC recommends. Diarrhea. 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. ; And how to prevent infection by the BA.2.12.1 strain. 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. Runny nose. 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. Symptoms to watch for and when to seek hospital care. Why Are There So Many Omicron SubvariantsAnd What Can They Tell Us About the Future of the Pandemic? Omicron Variants BQ.1 and BQ.1.1 Are Now Dominant in U.S. How Long Does Immunity From Omicron Last? However, the CDC notes this list is not exhaustive, and people might experience different symptoms or combinations of symptoms . Diarrhea. Gastrointestinal symptoms, such as nausea or diarrhea. . Antibodies From Vaccines vs. Antibodies From Natural Infection, How Vaccine Makers Are Tackling the Omicron Variant. 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. It's also important to remember that COVID-19 affects everyone differently. 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. 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. Very sick patients often feel short of breath, says Dr. Lisa Salamon, an emergency physician with Scarborough Health Network in Toronto. "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. 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. Persistent pain or pressure in the chest. New confusion. Wearing a mask is not really that hard; getting a vaccine and getting a booster is, for most people now, fairly accessible, she said. Are Symptoms of BA.4 and BA.5 More Severe? A variety of newsletters you'll love, delivered straight to you. "COVID-19 can be transmitted through poo . Many of the common omicron variant symptoms resemble other COVID-19 symptoms. Its updated booster has 25 micrograms targeting the original strain, and 25 targeting the omicron subvariants. Only 54% had a fever. 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. 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. More: https://t.co/Xys80ZGlxV. Omicron symptoms can look like flu and cold symptoms and cause headache, sore throat and runny nose. 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 has to do with data from the CDC that really showed after seven days there's virtually no risk of transmission at this point," Arwady said. Please enable Javascript in your browser and try How to prevent infection by the BA.2.12.1 subvariant: " 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. You may not lose your sense of . All Rights Reserved, These 5 symptoms are the most common in omicron, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data. . 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. 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. Opinion: How did COVID-19 start? 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. The FDA recommends taking another test 48 hours after the first. For . 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. All Rights Reserved. Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. However, many of the more common Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 symptoms are not severe, and you can often treat them at home. Inability to wake or stay awake. According to the CDC, symptoms of Covid-19 include fever, shortness of breath, cough, loss of taste or . Some people may experience nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. By Laura Hensley 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. Copyright HT Digital Streams Limited All rights reserved. Chills. Half of them didnt offer the level of protection theyre supposed to. Be sure to check with your pharmacist if you are taking other medications that those painkillers might interfere with. Here's a full list of known, potential COVID-19 symptoms for any individual, according to the CDC: Shortness of breath, difficulty breathing. The U.S. CDC has highlighted the variety of Covid symptoms that have been reported, noting "anyone can have mild to severe symptoms" that may appear two to 14 days after exposure to the virus . New confusion. "Many patients we're seeing are actually testing positive before they have symptoms, so they're testing positive on a rapid antigen," she said. KOCO 5 is keeping you updated on the COVID-19 pandemic in Oklahoma. The experience of COVID diarrhea is very similar to how we feel sick from a regular stomach bug. 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. medRxiv. "Initial symptoms appear to be related to a scratchy or sore throat, often quite mild," she says. Although the first cases of Omicron were observed in late 2021, the variant might have been around for several months. "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. "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. 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. 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. Here are things you can do | CBC Radio Loaded. And Will I Need It Again? Gulick says that even for those who are vaccinated, a reinfection rate may be as high as 30%. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 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. Loss of appetite. Stay up to date on your COVID-19 vaccines and avoid poorly ventilated areas. Do Bivalent Boosters Protect Against XBB.1.5? ", Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. congestion or runny nose. 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. Infected people may then go to work or other gatherings and spread the virus. These were: a persistent cough, runny nose, fatigue, sore throat, headache, muscle pain, fever and sneezing. 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 . A stuffy nose was reported by 78%. Headache. Fever. "[There are] adults who have had fevers of almost 40 degrees Centigrade [104 degrees Fahrenheit]," Dr. Rutherford told Health. You can still be confident going in, he says just don't be 100% sure what to expect. 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 . What kind of symptoms does this highly contagious variant present, you may wonder? 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!). A simple swab of the nose can tell you whether you have COVID-19 in about 15 minutes. I'm going to work,'" Dr. Passaretti said. Since it emerged in November 2021, the Omicron COVID variant has completely changed the course of the pandemic. That said, lots of different factors can affect the severity of symptoms, the CDC says, and vaccination status is one of them. Diarrhea. World health leaders are warning that omicron, the new COVID variant discovered in November, could cause "severe consequences. More true than ever right now because sick, even a little bit sick, until proven otherwise with a test - that's COVID. 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. 2. "They may only feel like they have a cold," she said. Muscle or body aches. While the research continues to evolve, so far, it shows that vaccinated people are less likely to go on and have long COVID. The CDC reports that people's most common complaints when infected with Omicron include cough, runny nose, congestion, and fatigue. New . In many parts of Canada, it can be extremely difficult to get access to PCR testing to determine if you have COVID and that's if you meet the criteria. At Atrium Health hospitals, where Dr. Passarettti works, hospitalizations due to the BA.5 variant spiked in mid-2022. "If your heart [is] missing beats or skipping beats or if your heart's really racing, those would be the other warning signs that really should be taken very seriously," he said. Audience Relations, CBC P.O. 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). A passenger . "COVID tends to present similarly, and [it] may vary from person to person, but the most common stuff we're seeing are fevers, congestion, [and] sore throat," Katie Passaretti, MD, vice president and enterprise chief epidemiologist with Atrium Health, told Health. Emergency care for COVID-19 symptoms. Diarrhea; This list does not include all possible symptoms. The best masks are N95s or equivalents, such as Canadian-made FN95 masks, as well as KN95s and KF94s. And when comparing rates of smell and taste loss during the earlier phases of the pandemic to more recent variant waves, researchers from Virginia Commonwealth University found thatthe chances of the symptom occurringwere 17 percent for omicron, 44 percent for delta and 50 percent for the alpha variant. 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. Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 caused the vast majority of COVID-19 infections in 2022. AARP Membership LIMITED TIME FLASH SALE. List of omicron variant symptoms. It is a priority for CBC to create products that are accessible to all in Canada including people with visual, hearing, motor and cognitive challenges. Marketplace also found some N95s held up better than others in testing. 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. Mild or severe fatigue. "We have also crossed the grim milestone of 1 million American lives lost to COVID.". A PCR test (short for polymerase chain reaction), administered at doctors offices or testing sites, can also confirm your suspicions. 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. The same concept held true during the last round of booster shots. Standout omicron symptoms are primarily respiratory. Laura Hensley is an award-winning lifestyle journalist who has worked in some of the largest newsrooms in Canada. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Diarrhea. 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. 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. 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. 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. Joint pain. So far, research shows that its more transmissible and causes less severe disease than earlier variants, like Delta. Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. 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. nausea or vomiting. A Division of NBC Universal. Shortness of breath/difficulty breathing. Unlike COVID-19, a cold is usually . Any combination, and varying levels of severity, of the following symptoms may be triggered by an Omicron SARS-CoV-2 infection. "Please call your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you." diarrhea. (Shilpa Thakur) Patients often get COVID diarrhea after being infected with Delta or Omicron . Rachel Nania writes about health care and health policy for AARP. 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.