The variant is now sweeping across the world and becoming the dominant . BA.2, however, didn't have the same signal . But COVID-19 can cause symptoms you may not expect, including:. While fever, cough, and shortness of breath are common signs of a possible coronavirus infection, other strange symptoms are being attributed to the virus. While Omicron symptoms are often milder than symptoms of other variants, they can vary widely, and more research is needed to determine whether Omicron can cause more serious illness than other variants. In case you cant find any email from our side, please check the spam folder. Blood clots are another troubling symptom doctors have noted, along with high blood sugar in some older adults. When a new variant emerges, many questions arise about how it may differ from previous variants, including what symptoms it causes and whether it's more or less likely to cause severe illness. Muscle or body aches. It'll just take a moment. "Estimates based on experience in South Africa allow scientists to postulate that the Omicron variant is at least three times more infectious than original versions of SARS-CoV-2," Dr. Kman adds. The Sun'sJabs Armycampaign is helping get the vital extra vaccines in Brits' arms to ward off the need for any new restrictions and protect the NHS. Feeling down. Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing. But other common COVID-19 symptoms, like cough, fever . The symptom is an inflammatory skin condition that, outside of Covid infections, is often seen after someone is exposed to extremely cold conditions. Fever or chills. ", RELATED: This Common Habit Makes Your Dementia Risk Soar, 6 The Difference Between Omicron and the Flu, "Usually, the only way to tell is to get tested," Dr. Cioe-Pea explains. Doctors studying Omicron's spread around the world have found new clues to the pattern of symptoms caused by the highly-mutated COVID-19 variant, which a growing number of reports suggest might . Officially, the CDC has not changed its list of the most common COVID-19 symptoms. Omicron, the latest variant of concern, is spreading fast as scientists across the world conduct studies to understand it better, and is likely to become a dominant strain soon. The variant has also caused other concerns due to its high transmission rate. "However, we don't know enough yet to determine the extent of the disease. Sore throat. Predict the closing value of sensex and win free subscription. More data is needed to conclude if Omicron infections cause more severe illness or death compared to infections with other variants and how effective vaccines are against severe illness, hospitalizations, and deaths. After you've gotten your booster, there are other ways to manage your symptoms: One thing to note, per Murray: If your symptoms don't resolve within 24 to 48 hours, you should reach out to your health care provider just to make sure nothing else is going on. Runny nose. Sore throat. Vomiting is a tell-tale sign of BA.5 COVID infection in kids, a pediatrician says. We must act together to address current cases and prepare for the possibility of more Omicron https://t.co/3ln8b8QlAD. "Omicron causes an infection of the upper airway, causing a characteristically barky or seal-like cough," Ramagopal said. RELATED: Things to Never Do After Age 40, Say Health Experts. As of late last week, nearly 1,000 Omicron cases were reported by 57 countries in different regions of the world, according to the WHO. In fact, the CDC advises that long COVID a range of symptoms that . New loss of taste or smell. Its important to point out that theres still a lot that scientists around the world are learning about this variantthe WHO was only alerted to its existence about a month ago, after all. Anyone can have mild to severe symptoms. Covid booster jabs protect against Omicron and offer the best chance to get through the pandemic, health officials have repeatedly said. congestion or runny nose. diarrhea. This does not allow us to conclude that this virus would cause similar symptoms or be mild in people with underlying illnesses or those who are older, he says. Ashley Abramson is a freelance writer based in Milwaukee, WI. We may see differences in symptoms with people who are vaccinated and not, and those with prior infection, though., I haven't heard a lot on people losing their sense of taste and smell with Omicron, but Im willing to bet that this variant can do that, cause shortness of breath, and all of the other symptoms of COVID-19, particularly in the unvaccinated, Dr. Russo says. People have plenty of questions about this newly-detected strain of COVID-19, including the symptoms of Omicron, how Delta differs from Omicron, how deadly the Omicron variant is and whether current COVID-19 tests will detect Omicron. Gastrointestinal symptoms like diarrhea aren't uncommon in people with COVID-19. At that point, those who are between the ages of 12 and 17 can receive the updated Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 booster. Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing. Some people might also experience systemic reactions, like fatigue or a low-grade fever, the experts said. If Omicron ends up causing more infections, it will likely cause more damage. Symptoms if mild might not be of concern," says Dr Goel. Kashif J. Piracha, MD, FACP, FASN, FNKF, is a practicing physician at Methodist Willowbrook Hospital. Rashes, including the sudden onset of itchy hives, have also been reported in Covid patients. So how do you tell if your cough or sore throat is a cold or COVID? The most important thing to do is schedule your booster shot strategically. Headache. This can range from a slightly blocked nose to breathing difficulties, with the latter needing urgent medical attention. 2 Omicron Symptoms In Country Where It Originated. states, "People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. A string ofpositive studiesshow Omicron is milder than other strains, with data revealing the risk of hospitalisation is50 to 70 per cent lower than with Delta. Loss of smell or taste. New loss of taste or smell . Fatigue. Here's what we know so far about the symptoms of the Omicron variant, according to research and infectious disease experts. They get a little pain in the arm, they get a little swelling.. Read onand to ensure your health and the health of others, don't miss these, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19: This Kind of Fat is Most Dangerous, Say Experts, Expert Shares Tips For Reversing Your Arthritis, This Common Habit Makes Your Dementia Risk Soar, Most People Get Diabetes This Way, Experts Say, Assume you have COVID if you have these symptoms, and get tested. And this would not be showing in the nose - so you could have a gut infection but not show up as positive," Tim Spector, ZOE Covid Symptom Study's Professor, told The Sun. ", RELATED: This Kind of Fat is Most Dangerous, Say Experts. CDC officers have told Americans that more data are needed to know if "Omicron infections cause more severe illness or death than infection with other variants." "In children, Omicron can lead to gastrointestinal illnesses with symptoms including high fever, diarrhea, and vomiting, which may cause dehydration. COVID-19 might cause nausea, vomiting or diarrhea either alone or with other COVID-19 symptoms. Omicron has also been detected at faster rates than previous surges in infection, suggesting that this variant may have a growth advantage, the WHO says. Again, research on Omicron is new and ongoing, but there has been some data that suggests this variant may have different symptoms than previous strains. Flashback: Gastrointestinal symptoms have been mentioned as possible symptoms . Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. New COVID Variants May Fuel a Winter SurgeWhat to Know About BQ.1, XBB, and Others, XBB.1.5: What to Know About the 'Most Transmissible' COVID Subvariant Yet, The COVID-19 Delta Variant: Everything We Know About It, What You Should Know About BA.2, a SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Variant, Omicron Variant's Incubation Period Is About 3 DaysWhat That Means, Experts Explain Why Its a Bad Idea to Purposely Get COVID Since Omicron Seems Milder. Health officials have advised that the Omicron variant is more infectious and could lead to further breakthrough cases. For most people, those side effects will likely be mild. symptoms experienced due to Delta infections, as those we've seen earlier in the pandemic, the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Your Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads. Digestive symptoms sometimes develop before a fever and respiratory symptoms. There are a number of curveballs out there with Omicron, and were still learning about this variant, Dr. Schaffner says. Long Covid may lead to reduced brain oxygen levels, cog Zombie apocalypse: Fungus creating havoc in The Last of What's time on moon? 679215 Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF. Cough. Fatigue. Studies in the UK reveal (where stealth Omicron is already spreading at a high rate) that people infected with the sub-variant show gut-related symptoms. "If you're that person who does feel rundown the next day, plan ahead," Esper advised. Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing. The incubation period for COVID-19 is from two to 14 days, with a median time of four to five days, the CDC says. In this installment, AMA member Stephen Parodi, MD, an infectious disease physician, took time to discuss what patients need to know about the COVID-19 Omicron Variant. Shortness of breath or . The majority of the Omicron patients in the CDC study (79%) were also fully vaccinated. But it must have been at least 2 months since your last vaccine dose, the CDC explains. Headache. Doctor Davey Smith, UCSD Chief of Infectious Diseases and Global Health, told local CBS affiliate KFMB that it is a "very strange" symptom that accompanies a "bucket of crazy symptoms" attributed to the virus. For instance, in both the Moderna and Pfizer trials, the most common side effects were pain at the injection site, fatigue and headache. "We're now seeing more headache, body aches, and a cough that's maybe mild to . Some researchers argue Omicron may spare the lungs and cause milder disease because TMPRSS2 is more common on cells in the lower airways, but there are few data to support that, Peacock says. Some of the new symptoms of covid-19 include nausea, abdominal ache, vomiting, loss of appetite and diarrhoea. However, norovirus and other gastro-related illnesses are also circulating. From vegan to keto, which diet has the highest carbon footprint. One omicron side effect doctors are seeing is night sweats, with Covid sufferers reporting waking up to soaked sheets. EXPERTS are warning of unusual Covid symptoms and when to seek emergency treatment as the omicron variant continues to spread in the US. To inquire about a licence to reproduce material, visit our Syndication site. Cough. Runny nose. Omicron vs. Delta: How the 2 COVID-19 Variants Compare, Omicron Infection Timeline: When Symptoms Start and How Long They Last, Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 Symptoms: What To Know. "Whenever there is a new variant, people say cases are going up but not hospitalizations, but we seem to forget that there's a lag of several weeks before we know if these cases will result in more hospitalizations and deaths," Dr. Liu said. But other symptoms in the top 20 includes hoarse voice, chills or shivers, brain fog, feeling dizzy, skipped meals and feeling down. I think what we are experiencing, though, is . The best protection from any COVID-19 strain is vaccination, booster shots, and wearing a mask in indoor public spaces. According to the American Medical Association (AMA), the most common symptoms of BA.5 are: Fever. Digestive symptoms. Cough. Nasal congestion. Swollen glands. Congestion or runny nose. Based on the CDC's genomic surveillance, the BA.2 or stealth Omicron subvariant is responsible for most new SARS-CoV-2 infections in the U.S. BA.2 is a subvariant of the original SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant (B.1.1.529), along with BA.1.1 and BA.3. His Tesla managemen Startup offering ozempic surges with controver Japan to launch 2 new work visas J-FIND and J- Goldman Sachs doesnt want to Be everyones ba Electric vehicles are shattering the barrier t 'Don't ask same questions': Court tells CBI as Cuts at Amazon, other tech companies dont spe How to invest in these very confusing times. Anyone can have mild to severe symptoms. Moreover, there are signs Omicron can trigger dehydration from fever, vomiting, and diarrhea and can exacerbate other health issues such as diabetes . There hasnt been exact data on Omicrons incubation period, but Dr. Schaffner says its possible that Omicrons incubation period is shorter than that of other COVID-19 variants. Sometimes congestion, runny nose, sometimes nausea and vomiting and sometimes diarrhea. * All raw fruits should be thoroughly washed before consuming. The CDC recommends using a clean, cool, damp towel. Doctors say one of the first signs of the omicron variant in particular can be a scratchy throat, followed by headache and fatigue. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. You are now subscribed to our newsletters. Omicron is not only more contagious than COVID or Delta, but people who have been infected with the variant typically show symptoms much quicker, Dr. Cioe-Pea states. The CDC says COVID-19 may cause the following symptoms: To protect yourself and others from severe sickness from any COVID-19 strain, Dr. Liu said the best thing to do is get fully vaccinated. We are now starting to see a very worrying increase in deaths, in most regions of the world. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provided a list of emergency warning signs that need immediate emergency medical care: Anyone suffering from these symptoms is urged to call 911 or your local emergency facility. pic.twitter.com/g4oAi89ifu. Symptoms may change with new COVID-19 variants and can vary depending on vaccination status. One symptom is now largely associated with infections and could be easily mistaken during the winter season. "There's no reason at all to expect that this would be different or somehow give you some bad new side effects that we don't know about," Dr. Otto Yang,professor of medicine in the division of infectious diseases and of microbiology, immunology and molecular genetics at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, told TODAY. Omicron can affect your gut apart from upper respiratory tract and the abdominal symptoms are becoming common in people infected with the new strain. A little more miserable overall. Diarrhea. And follow the public health fundamentals and help end this pandemic, no matter where you liveget vaccinated or boosted ASAP; if you live in an area with low vaccination rates, wear an N95, , don't travel, social distance, avoid large crowds, don't go indoors with people you're not sheltering with (especially in bars), practice good hand hygiene, and to protect your life and the lives of others, don't visit any of these, 35 Places You're Most Likely to Catch COVID. Also, early outbreaks of Omicron have been among young adults who tend to have milder infections anyway, as well as among those who are more likely to have antibody protection through vaccination or previous infection, Anne Liu, MD, an infectious disease physician with Stanford Health Care, told Health. Oops! Pale, grey, or blue colored skin is a warning sign of omicron that doctors are urging people to look out for. 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. Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing. Also . New loss of taste or smell. Nausea and acid reflux were reported by 18 per cent respectively, while diarrhoea affected 15 per cent of those recovering from Covid. That suggests that Omicron may be more infectious than other variants, he says. NDPP-BJP govt in Nagaland to take oath on 7 Ma Studies reveal people infected with the Omicron BA.2 show gut-related symptoms, On being infected, patients are complaining of nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, heartburn, bloating. 3 How Soon After You've Been Exposed to Omicron Do You Start Showing Signs? Below, experts explain everything they've learned about Omicron symptoms and infections so far and what Americans should know if they expect they're experiencing an Omicron-related sickness. A new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) analyzed data from 43 cases of COVID-19 in the U.S. caused by Omicron and found that patients generally had these symptoms: One doctor who has treated Omicron patients in South Africa told the BBC in late November that people infected with the variant early on had extremely mild symptoms.. New COVID-19 boosters mean better protection, but also some side effects. According to the CDC, the Omicron variant spreads more easily than the original SARS-CoV-2 virus and the Delta variant. However, with the Omicron variant, Dr. Williams said more patients have been experiencing gastrointestinal system symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. Dr. Parodi is an associate executive director at The Permanente Medical Group, a member of the AMA Health System Program. Flashback: Gastrointestinal symptoms have been mentioned as possible symptoms before. "As our latest data shows, Omicron symptoms are predominantly cold symptoms, runny nose, headache, sore throat, and sneezing, so people should stay at home as it might well be COVID," Spector said. ", RELATED: Most People Get Diabetes This Way, Experts Say. Vomiting. Some people with COVID experience gastrointestinal symptoms, such as diarrhea and vomiting. While there are breakthrough cases of Covid among people who are vaccinated, they are rare. We just dont have a lot of data yet., Dr. Russo says hes concerned about talk of Omicron being a mild infection, when the majority of cases have been in people who are vaccinated or younger. Muscle or body aches. You are just one step away from creating your watchlist! Fatigue or tiredness. One patient told the news station that the sweats lasted four nights. She is a graduate of NYU's Science, Health, and Environmental Reporting Program and has a background in psychology and neuroscience. COVID-19 diarrhea can cause green stool by the way it causes yellow stool (lack of fat breakdown). It's premature for any country either to surrender, or to declare victory. But that may have more to do with people's vaccination status than the virus itselfbecause more people than ever are vaccinated, it's possible Omicron just seems milder. Sore, scratchy throat . Sarah Jacoby is a health reporter at TODAY. The symptoms can come on without the more typical and recognized markers of a coronavirus infection, such as fever and cough, the doctor said. Omicron may have a shorter incubation period so that the spread from one person to others happens more rapidly, Dr. Schaffner says. Fatigue. Early data indicates that Omicron's incubation periodthe time it takes for an infected person to develop symptoms after exposure to the virusmay be significantly shorter than with previous variants: Previously, it was about a week, while Omicron may develop in three days or less. While you may have heard that Omicron symptoms are mild, doctors say thats not necessarily the full story. People should also be aware that diarrhoea is not just a possible symptom of Covid but also features in numerous medical conditions. ", RELATED: Expert Shares Tips For Reversing Your Arthritis, 5 It is Possible to Avoid Getting Omicron, Taking precautions like wearing a mask, social distancing and getting vaccinated helps prevent catching Omicron. For other inquiries, Contact Us. Meanwhile, blood in the poo was a very rare side-effect that was reported by just two patients. The number of Omicron cases is skyrocketing everywhere.And although we are hearing that, for the most degree, for most healthy people and certainly the vaccinated people, they may not have as severe of a case of the symptoms related to this COVID infection, It is still very important because our community . * Avoid eating outside food and even if you are vaccinated, maintain all covid safety protocol. So far as many as 25 symptoms have been reported by people who have been infected with it. If you test positive for COVID, the CDC advises that you isolate for 10 days after the date any symptoms started (as long as your symptoms are improving and you've been fever-free for at least 24 hours without using any fever-reducing medications). This may be due to how the virus' protein has mutated, particularly "the spike protein, or how the virus infects cells," Dr. Johnston says. Headache. The multiple mutations in its spike protein are definitely concerning, says Thomas Russo, M.D., professor and chief of infectious disease at the University at Buffalo in New York. Health talked with Dr. Eric Cioe-Pea MD, director of Global Health and Emergency Department physician at Staten Island University Hospital who explained when Omicron symptoms start and how to tell the difference between the virus and the flu. Symptoms may appear two to 14 days after exposure to the virus. Dr. Admire, Chief Medical Officer with Infirmary Health, said those symptoms are showing up as nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting, loss of appetite and diarrhea. It's highly unlikely that doctors will be able to help you determine if you are suffering from an Omicron COVID-19 infection specifically without laboratory tests, even if fatigue is your primary symptom. For further details of our complaints policy and to make a complaint please click this link: thesun.co.uk/editorial-complaints/, The US CDC has said diarrhoea could be a symptom of Omicron, People should be aware of all the possible signs of Omicron, Don't mistake this 'very strange' Omicron symptom for common cold, doctors warn, Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO). It's premature for any country either to surrender, or to declare victory." The Sun website is regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. On being infected, patients are complaining of six gut-related sicknesses -Nausea, Diarrhoea, Vomiting, Abdominal pain, Heartburn, Bloating. They turn red and purple and swell, burn, and itch. Dr. Cioe-Pea says, "Yes, it's very contagious but it is still possible to avoid exposure. World health leaders are warning that omicron, the new COVID variant discovered in November, could cause "severe consequences. Experts continue to learn more about the Omicron variant and its specific risks (including any new symptoms, especially in unvaccinated people, and how much protection the vaccines provide). You really can't, experts say. To be clear, all health officials are in universal agreement the potential list of symptoms for those affected by an Omicron SARS-CoV-2 infection remains largely the same. Preliminary data and media outlets have reported on one symptom that seems to indicate someone has the omicron variant. Information and data is slowly trickling in about Omicronand it's appearing to be slightly different from the variants predecessors. Many of the common omicron variant symptoms resemble other COVID-19 symptoms. The Omicron variant of COVID-19 has surged worldwide in record timeit was only three weeks ago that the first case was identified in South Africa. Loss of appetite. 2 Omicron Symptoms In Country Where It Originated, According to South Africa's biggest private health insurer, South Africans with an Omicron infection often develop. Anyone can have mild to severe symptoms. We're still seeing the usual list of symptoms that we would expect with COVID-19: fever, fatigue, cough, shortness of breath, and then loss of smell and taste. "Usually 1-2 days. My pillow looked like a glass of water had been spilled onto it and the sheets were soaked," Jason Borgmann said. Always talk to your doctor for professional medical advice. The symptoms of the Delta variant are often like those of a very bad cold. However, the CDC notes this list is not exhaustive, and people might experience different symptoms or combinations of symptoms. Omicron symptoms: The surprising sign when you go to the toilet - coronavirus OMICRON may cause a number of signs to appear. More research is needed, but early signs suggest that this variant of SARS-CoV-2 does indeed spread at a faster rate. A new loss of smell or taste without a stuffy nose is a common early symptom of COVID-19. Omicron symptoms can be milder. Skipped meals. Assume you have COVID if you have these symptoms, and get tested. All experts asked agreed: Symptoms for unvaccinated individuals may be more severe compared to someone who has been fully vaccinated earlier this year, or those who have recently received a booster shot. : Space agencies consider common ti After Turkeys earthquakes, many families scra Elon Musks latest reveal? It's faster than with delta or alpha. RELATED: Warning Signs You Have "Too Much Fat," Say Experts. Muscle or body aches. Remove some to bookmark this image. They're feeling weak. Headache. Dry Eye and COVID-19: How the 2 Conditions Are Connected, According to Experts. Dr. Coetzee said she had more patients with similar symptoms later that day. Earlier this month the most common signs of Omicron symptoms were revealed after sufferers logged their ailments in an . Nausea or vomiting. Popular Mobile Games You Must Play In 2023, surge, Omicron continues to spread quickly and in just under three months, the variant has infected millions of people. "Mutations may make [SARS-CoV-2] enter your cells or replicate more quickly, but it still gives you the same illness once inside your body," he says, adding that variants are expected to remain consistent with a suite of symptoms noted below in the future. Cough. According to Centre for Disease Control (CDC), some of the common symptoms associated with Omicron are cough, fatigue, congestion and runny nose. Experts suggest that Omicron patients are reporting a varied range of symptoms owing to vaccination status and the immunity acquired from previous infections. For instance, in both the Moderna and Pfizer trials, the most common side effects were pain at the injection site, fatigue and headache. This is proving to be especially true for those vaccinated individuals who experience breakthrough COVID-19 illness. What Makes Omicron Spread More Rapidly Compared to Other COVID-19 Variants? Sore throat. Says Dr. Tipirneni: "Certainly this is a very worrisome time. Nausea or vomiting. I think what we are experiencing, though, is for people who . Read on to find out moreand to ensure your health and the health of others, don't miss these Sure Signs You've Already Had COVID. People with compromised immune systems are the most likely to experience diarrhoea and other gastrointestinal symptoms, reports NBC Chicago. Loss of appetite makes sense, too, if one of the main new symptoms is vomiting. Based on a ZOE Health Study analysis of COVID-19 symptoms among infected people in London, the symptoms of the Omicron variant might not be too different. Unusual muscle pains. Nasal congestion/stuffy nose. The less common symptoms included bloating, reported by 14 per cent of patients and belching, which was something that affected 10 per cent. While we aim to keep all of our stories up to date, please visit online resources provided by the CDC, WHO, and your local public health department to stay informed on the latest news.