"In children, Omicron can lead to gastrointestinal illnesses with symptoms including high fever, diarrhea, and vomiting, which may cause dehydration. Do Bivalent Boosters Protect Against XBB.1.5? Gastrointestinal symptoms, such as nausea or diarrhea. A problem, however, is that Omicrons symptoms can overlap with that of the common cold and flu. 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. 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. And if you are sick, or suspect you could be sick, stay home. While the research continues to evolve, so far, it shows that vaccinated people are less likely to go on and have long COVID. Hundreds of Americans are still dying from COVID-19 each day. You may not lose your sense of . Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea have been COVID symptoms since the initial COVID struck and may still strike you. These were: a persistent cough, runny nose, fatigue, sore throat, headache, muscle pain, fever and sneezing. People should also be aware that diarrhoea is not just a possible symptom of Covid but also features in numerous medical conditions. 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. 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. 8. 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. 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. Any of these symptoms in any order may appear within two to 14 days after being exposed to SARS-CoV-2. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says people who test positive for COVID-19 need . Your session has expired, please login again. But we do know it to be more transmissible and more immune-evading. Please note that CBC does not endorse the opinions expressed in comments. Here's a full list of known, potential COVID-19 symptoms for any individual, according to the CDC: Cough. Sofonea MT, Roquebert B, Foulongne V, et al. Omicron appears to cause milder symptoms than previous variantsespecially in fully vaccinated people. Others include headaches, muscle aches, runny nose, sneezing, nausea and loss of appetite. Runny nose. But if you have taken one at five and it's negative and you're feeling good, chances are very good that you're not going to have any more issues there," she said. Omicron has numerous mutations with potential to increase transmissibility, confer resistance to therapeutics, or partially escape infection- or vaccine-induced . 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. Will BA.2 Cause Another COVID Wave in the U.S.? . Nausea. Listen. Free online workshop! 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. Looks like you have exceeded the limit to bookmark the image. Pale, gray, or blue-colored skin, lips, or nail beds, depending on skin tone. "The symptoms of the Omicron variant, which includes the BA.2 lineage, and the Delta variant, are similar," Erica Johnson, MD, . Nasal congestion/stuffy nose. You can also notify the operator that you believe you or someone you are caring for has COVID. ", "Even if it's a sore throat, no matter what it is," she said. The quick spread of BA.4 and BA.5 sets them apart from other Omicron 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. Previously common symptoms such as shortness of breath, fever and loss of smell fell down the rankings. Loss of appetite makes sense, too, if one of the main new symptoms is vomiting. 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. ", As of May 9, 2022, national forecasts predict 90010,200 new #COVID19 hospitalizations will likely be reported on June 3. Emergency care for COVID-19 symptoms. Diarrhea. 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 . 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. muscle aches, lethargy, and even on some occasions diarrhea and nausea, he said. Masks are also still an important part of COVID-19 prevention; especially if you or someone you live with is considered high risk for severe complications, or are currently at risk for severe disease. And what are some of the first signs of an infection? 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. 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. Please enable Javascript in your browser and try New confusion. The newer subvariants have the ability to evade immunity from vaccines or prior infections, or both, perthe Deseret News. . "That's good because they're not getting seriously sick, they're not threatening the healthcare system, but it's certainly of some concern because they do have the potential to transmit to others.". Diarrhea. Arwady's comments echo those of other medical experts who are watching omicron cases. Johnson and Campbell note that there have been some reports of higher rates of upper respiratory tract symptoms with omicron, including sore throat and nasal congestion. In case you cant find any email from our side, please check the spam folder. 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. Some people may experience nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Why are more workers returning to the office in Asia and Europe than the U.S.? iStock. AARP Members Only Access to Special Health Content, Access AARP health Smart Guides, articles and special content. 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. However, the CDC notes this list is not exhaustive, and people might experience different symptoms or combinations of symptoms . Standout omicron symptoms are primarily respiratory. In the case of gastrointestinal illness, a doctor should be consulted, and a test should be administered immediately. All Rights Reserved. He also says that on top of vaccines, its important people wear masks, practice social distancing and avoid indoor crowds whenever possible. 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. 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. "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. Staring at a negative result, even with symptoms raging? What Are Symptoms of BA.4 and BA.5 Variants? 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. Other people may have muscle aches, fever and chills. The CDC recommends getting the flu shot before theend of October; adults 65 and older should ask forthe high-dose version. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 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. 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. Aria Bendix and Hilary Brueck. When Can More People Get a Second COVID Booster? The most commonly-reported symptoms with the original Omicron variant were cough, fatigue, headache, congestion, and runny nose. Testing, if you suspect you have COVID, can help curb spread and protect others. 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 . 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. We want them to seek the appropriate medical care," she said. You are just one step away from creating your watchlist! 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. Taking those steps will really help. Very sick patients often feel short of breath, says Dr. Lisa Salamon, an emergency physician with Scarborough Health Network in Toronto. Though more people were in the hospital in 2022, the number of deaths nationwide plateaued from April to September 2022, according to the CDC. And like COVID-19, the influenza vaccine can help prevent serious flu complications from ever occurring. Rapid antigen tests may be just as hard to find. Shutterstock. . "[It's] harder to detect because people are like, 'I just have allergies. Research also suggests that people who are infected with omicron aresick for shorter periods of timethan those with delta. "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. How Many Times Can You Get Reinfected With the Same COVID Variant? diarrhea. "People said, 'It's the worst sore throat I've ever had.' Loss of smell or taste. Runny nose. 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. Redness and swelling at the injection site. But for the most part, most symptoms Rutherford was aware of were respiratory. About 90% of those hospitalized are unvaccinated, he said. This is a subscriber only feature Subscribe Now to get daily updates on WhatsApp. The new shots have the same dosage amounts as the original vaccines, which further suggests that their safety profiles could be similar, Offit says. Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and appetite loss have been reported in a number of patients across age groups. But if your oxygen levels drop and you start to feel dizzy or short of breath, you may need to get treatment for COVID-19 at a hospital. The virus can infect some cells in a patient's gastrointestinal tract, which would lead to stomach issues like diarrhea, Dr. Pekosz . Joint pain. If you're not vaccinated or boosted, I certainly have a much higher concern that you could get infected. The BA.1 trials only tested a few hundred people, which is a relatively small sample size compared to the thousands of Americans set to receive the new BA.5 doses, Offit notes. Headache. 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. ", 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. "Many patients we're seeing are actually testing positive before they have symptoms, so they're testing positive on a rapid antigen," she said. Sore throat. Shortness of breath, difficulty breathing. Think you may have Omicron? Digestive symptoms sometimes develop before a fever and respiratory symptoms. The Omicron variant is the most transmissible variant to date for all age groups, including both adults and children. Vaccination hesitancy and postacute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2: Is it time to reconsider? 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. 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. Arwady said testing is likely not necessary after seven days following exposure for those who are vaccinated and boosted.