What are the signs of Omicron, the brand new variant of Covid?

Gastrointestinal signs are extra widespread in kids than adults, stated Dr. Lighter, however they’ll additionally happen in adults. The virus can infect some cells in a affected person’s gastrointestinal tract, which might result in abdomen issues like diarrhea, stated Dr. Pekosz. Respiratory infections on the whole could cause folks to make extra mucus once they cough; swallowing this mucus can then additionally irritate and upset the abdomen.

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Jan. 3, 2022, 6:16 p.m. ET

Fatigue is among the extra widespread Covid signs, each with Omicron and former variants of the virus, stated Dr. Lighter. Nevertheless, when somebody is symptomatic of Covid, fatigue is normally not the one symptom.

To distinguish Covid-related fatigue from common tiredness or exhaustion, be aware whether or not it comes on extra all of a sudden, stated Dr. Pekosz. “We get drained through the day,” he stated, “but when it will get on actually quick, that is an indication that it isn’t simply that I have not had espresso this morning.”

Are Omicron’s Signs Totally different When Vaccinated?

Actually, many Covid-19 signs differ based mostly on an individual’s vaccination standing. Maya N. Clark-Cutaia, assistant professor at New York College’s Meyers School of Nursing who has adopted up Covid-19 sufferers all through the pandemic, stated sufferers vaccinated with Delta or the unique coronavirus are liable to complications and congestion current, sinus strain and sinus ache, whereas unvaccinated sufferers usually tend to expertise shortness of breath and cough, in addition to flu-like signs.

The Coronavirus Pandemic: Vital Issues You Ought to Know

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The worldwide upswing. The coronavirus is spreading quicker than ever in early 2022, however the closing days of 2021 introduced encouraging information that the Omicron variant is inflicting fewer critical sicknesses than earlier waves. In consequence, governments are focusing extra on increasing vaccination than limiting its unfold.

Again to the workplace. For a lot of companies, the latest surge has resulted in a speedy reversal of return to workplace plans. Up to now few days, corporations like Goldman Sachs and Chevron have began to reduce their office tips. Some inform workers to remain house for just some days and even hours earlier than returning.

At Omicron, Dr. Clark-Cutaia that sufferers she spoke to in Pennsylvania have signs just like Delta. Vaccinated Omicron sufferers complain of complications, aching limbs and fever – “like a extremely unhealthy chilly,” she stated. Unvaccinated folks have the identical signs of shortness of breath, cough, and flu-like signs that they noticed in unvaccinated folks with Delta and the unique coronavirus.

How lengthy does it take for signs to look?

Omicron seems to have a shorter incubation time than different variants – after an individual is uncovered, it takes solely three days to develop signs, turn out to be contagious, and take a look at optimistic, in comparison with 4 to 6 days with Delta and the unique coronavirus, stated Dr. Waleed Javaid, Director of An infection Prevention and Management at Mount Sinai Downtown in New York Metropolis. That might be as a result of the variant’s mutations assist it connect to cells and get into cells, he added.

Is Omicron milder than different variants?

Some encouraging new analysis reveals that Omicron might do much less injury to the lungs, leading to much less critical sickness than earlier iterations of the virus. Early proof from Europe additionally means that Omicron could cause milder signs. In December, three separate analysis groups concluded that the variant was much less prone to ship sufferers to hospitals.