A person is also considered contagious before symptoms appear. "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. Closed Captioning and Described Video is available for many CBC shows offered on CBC Gem. Diarrhea was slightly more . What Are Symptoms of BA.4 and BA.5 Variants? Diarrhea; What is the COVID omicron variant? For those patients with asthma who are having a wheeze with this, we may prescribe puffers for them to help out," she said. As of Thursday, Ontario's COVID-19 test positivity rate is 29.2 per cent, while Quebec's health minister said the health-care system is missing about 20,000 workers who have been infected with or exposed to the virus. 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. Omicron BA.2 was the dominant . Fever. When search suggestions are available use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. It isnt always the case that a new version of the coronavirus brings about a new batch of symptoms. The most commonly-reported symptoms with the original Omicron variant were cough, fatigue, headache, congestion, and runny nose. ", Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. Diarrhea. 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. Shortness of breath, difficulty breathing. Pale, gray, or blue-colored skin, lips, or nail beds, depending on skin tone. Diarrhea. Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and appetite loss have been reported in a number of patients across age groups. Aside from classic Covid-19 symptoms, according to Dr. Singh, some of the distinguishing symptoms of the Omicron variant are: runny nose. Night sweats, another symptom cited by a doctor at a media briefing in South Africa early in the country's Omicron wave, has been touted by tabloids as "a telltale sign which only happens at night . 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. Headache. ", 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. According to the Zoe health app, COVID diarrhea can last for up to seven days. 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. 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. Definitely, ideally, you'd be seeking out that test at five and I would do it again, you know, at the seven, potentially at that 10. Copyright HT Digital Streams Limited All rights reserved. Persistent pain or pressure in the chest. Emergency care for COVID-19 symptoms. KOCO 5 is keeping you updated on the COVID-19 pandemic in Oklahoma. According to the American Medical Association (AMA), the most common symptoms of BA.5 are: Omicron and its subvariants are highly contagious theyre even known for reinfecting people who recently got over COVID-19. . It'll just take a moment. Is your N95-style mask failing you? Rules and guidance around what to do are changing rapidly, but there are a few key things you need to know right now. Vomiting. Health officials arenow recommendingthat everyone 12 and older get an updated booster shot thats designed to better target omicron and its subvariants. Chills. Will a U.S. COVID-19 vaccine maker be able to stay in business? This particular subvariant is the most infectious of the Omicron collection of viruses, as the third iteration of Omicron that first began increasing breakthrough COVID-19 cases late last fall. This may be the sniffles or a scratchy throat, some mild fatigue, fever, aches. 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. Ask an Expert: Do I Really Need the Bivalent Booster? Still, omicron appears to cause less severe illness than previous variants, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes. "Initial symptoms appear to be related to a scratchy or sore throat, often quite mild," she says. "Be mindful of your symptoms and test early for COVID so that you can take steps to protect others from infection, especially as it relates to events like these. 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. "But of course, that's really not the reality for many, maybe even most Canadians who are facing this.". Shortness of breath/difficulty breathing. Symptoms of loss of taste and smell are related to COVID, so if you develop symptoms and are at high-risk, then definitely get tested since there is now treatment for early disease, Gulick said. Omicron Variants BQ.1 and BQ.1.1 Are Now Dominant in U.S. How Long Does Immunity From Omicron Last? "At the moment, we don't have medications that we can prescribe that someone can take at home. "There's been an increase in the rate of COVID cases in the U.S. recently, currently above 80,000 [new] cases per day," he says, adding that it's dramatically less than the 800,000+ cases per day noted at the start of 2022. 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. "Please call your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you.". The omicron variant mostly affects the throat, therefore, most of the symptoms associated with this variant are upper respiratory problems. But Passaretti has heard that people with BA.5 or Omicron may experience worse fevers and sore throats. "It can drop a little bit lower than that and still be safe. "[There are] adults who have had fevers of almost 40 degrees Centigrade [104 degrees Fahrenheit]," Dr. Rutherford told Health. iStock. Occasionally there can be nausea and diarrhea, Gulick said. Infected people may then go to work or other gatherings and spread the virus. "You should get tested for COVID-19 if you develop any of the 11 known COVID symptoms," says Dr . Are Symptoms of BA.4 and BA.5 More Severe? ; And how to prevent infection by the BA.2.12.1 strain. "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. Not only are the symptoms from a BA.4 and BA.5 infection similar to other Omicron variants, but they also seem to have a similar severity, Dr. Passaretti and Dr. Rutherford said. Asking for help is a strength, not a weakness, Accenture exec says, How this 39-year-old earns $26,000 a year in California. December data from the ZOE COVID Study app, a global initiative to track COVID cases and symptoms, adds fatigue and sneezing to the list of common Omicron symptoms. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Research published in April 2022 in The Lancet also found that . pic.twitter.com/MK9wK8GdwB. The South African doctor who was the first to detect the COVID-19 omicron variant, Angelique Coetzee, described most of the symptoms as "extremely mild" when alerting people what to look out . How Many Times Can You Get Reinfected With the Same COVID Variant? With previous coronavirus strains like Delta, the . Since it emerged in November 2021, the Omicron COVID variant has completely changed the course of the pandemic. New confusion. That's great data because it shows that vaccination is protective, not just against getting infected and ending up in the hospital and dyingall of which are really good benefitsbut also, your risk of getting long COVID is much lower if you are vaccinated, she said. Symptoms to watch for and when to seek hospital care. 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. "People have to understand, if they feel sick, we don't want them not coming to the emergency department because they're scared. 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. "The symptoms of the Omicron variant, which includes the BA.2 lineage, and the Delta variant, are similar," Erica Johnson, MD, . Why Are There So Many Omicron SubvariantsAnd What Can They Tell Us About the Future of the Pandemic? 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. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC says to look for emergency warning signs for coronavirus. Stay warm and drink plenty of liquids, says Dr. O'Connor. Oops! Aria Bendix and Hilary Brueck. Its updated booster has 25 micrograms targeting the original strain, and 25 targeting the omicron subvariants. "So, staying up to date on your COVID-19 vaccines provides the best protection against severe outcomes.". Some may also experience changes in taste or smell." Some of the most specific available data on Omicron symptoms comes from the U.K. Zoe COVID Study App . AARP Members Only Access to Special Health Content, Access AARP health Smart Guides, articles and special content. You are just one step away from creating your watchlist! We want them to seek the appropriate medical care," she said. These symptoms, also listed by the CDC, can make the omicron infection look like a common cold. Fatigue, or muscle and body aches. Headache. COVID-19 might cause nausea, vomiting or diarrhea either alone or with other COVID-19 symptoms. Those who are unvaccinated, however, are experiencing similar symptoms to early on in the pandemic, Arwady said. "I think that people [are] having a very hard time wrapping their head around how much that Omicron has changed the rules of the game and how we have to change how we handle it in terms of our own individual risks, as well as our behaviour within a society," said Dr. Matthew Oughton, in an interview with Dr. Brian Goldman, host of CBC podcast The Dose. Roughly 26% of participants experienced a mild or moderate headache, while only 0.3% experienced a severe one. "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. Its possible you have COVID-19 but took the test before the virus was detectable. "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. . sore throat. As with the symptoms themselves, it was too early as of September 2022 to tell just how severely the variants might affect patients. Here's what to do if you think you have Omicron and when you might need to go to the hospital. Omicron has numerous mutations with potential to increase transmissibility, confer resistance to therapeutics, or partially escape infection- or vaccine-induced . People need to get their booster shots for the most protection. Inability to wake or stay awake. ", As of May 9, 2022, national forecasts predict 90010,200 new #COVID19 hospitalizations will likely be reported on June 3. Still, symptoms don't seem to be much different than for Omicron or other types of COVID-19 infection. All Rights Reserved. Since BA.4 and BA.5 have become the dominant strains, Dr. Wesley Long, an experimental pathologist at Houston Methodist Hospital,told CNNthat he has seen cases of reinfection. Again, everyone is different and will experience their own early symptoms, but these seem to be among the group reported be most patients. Be sure to check with your pharmacist if you are taking other medications that those painkillers might interfere with. Do Bivalent Boosters Protect Against XBB.1.5? Please enable Javascript in your browser and try People infected with BA.5 may experience these typical COVID-19 symptoms, sore throat, and fatigue, but they are less likely to report fevers or loss of taste and smell, said Andy Pekosz, PhD, a virologist and professor . A multicenter study in 2022 looked at 1672 hospitalized COVID-19 positive . Read on to learn what you need to know about the subvariants and how to stay healthy. (Shilpa Thakur) Patients often get COVID diarrhea after being infected with Delta or Omicron . Laura Hensley is an award-winning lifestyle journalist who has worked in some of the largest newsrooms in Canada. If you're thinking of getting an omicron-specific Covid booster shot, you might be wondering what its side effects are and how severe they might be. And if you are sick, or suspect you could be sick, stay home. The omicron wave continues as reinfections become more common, with over 650 deaths reported on Aug. 2 and the daily average of COVID-19 related hospitalizations lingering around nearly 6,300, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data. Oughton is mindful many places across Canada may be experiencing cold weather, so open windows may be a limited solution. Audience Relations, CBC P.O. The CDC announced the first known case of the omicron variant in the United States on Dec. 1, days after its . All rights reserved, Judge: Oxford Schools, Staff Immune From Lawsuits Stemming From Michigan School Shooting, CTA Continues Efforts to Adapt Electric Buses to Winter's Challenges, how long should you quarantine with covid, New Ranking Names Most Expensive Cities In Illinois and These Chicago Suburbs Top the List, Chicago Suburb Lands on List of Happiest Places to Live,' Another Midwest City Makes Top 10, Stomach Bug Cases Surging, Sending People to Emergency Rooms in Chicago Area, Inmate Beaten to Death in Maximum Security Wing of Cook County Jail, Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, Pale, gray, or blue-colored skin, lips, or nail beds, depending on skin tone. Inability to wake or stay awake. Only 54% had a fever. Loss of appetite. Clinicians said many BA.5 symptoms are similar to those seen in previous variants, including congestion, headaches, cough and fever. They also examined clinical trial data on earlier versions of bivalent boosters targeting omicron's BA.1 subvariant. The information in this article is current as of the date listed, which means newer information may be available when you read this. The evidence so far, according to Poehling, is anecdotal and not based on scientific research. To encourage thoughtful and respectful conversations, first and last names will appear with each submission to CBC/Radio-Canada's online communities (except in children and youth-oriented communities). Chest pain. "This variant is about 25% more contagious than the original Omicron variant that entered the U.S. last fall seemingly accounting for about 40% of current cases," she tells Good Housekeeping. Published Jan 4, 2022. Further, 30 percent of patients with the Alpha variant (dominant in late 2020) experienced diarrhea. 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!). 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. The CDC reports that people's most common complaints when infected with Omicron include cough, runny nose, congestion, and fatigue. Those shots were never released to the public, because BA.1 was quickly surpassed by other omicron subvariants but their design is extremely similar to the shots now available at pharmacies and clinics nationwide. Remove some to bookmark this image. ", As of May 9, 258.2 million people have received at least one dose of a #COVID19 vaccine. "Preliminary data from studies in Beijing and South Africa have signaled what is expected; new variants and subvariants may be more likely to cause reinfection in an individual who was previously infected with an old variant," Dr. Nagrani explains. In earlier variants, infection caused more harm to the lungs. @CDCgov is prepared to quickly identify any new variant & evaluate the public health impact.Updated variant proportions. JACKSONVILLE, Fla. Omicron cases on the . 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. Omicron appears to be continuing the trend set by Delta. Shutterstock. Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. Individuals with Medicare can get up to eight free tests a month, and many private insurance plans also cover them. "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. 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. "This list is not all possible symptoms," the CDC states. CBC Marketplace tested KN95 and KF94 masks sold online and at big box stores. sore throat. According to the CDC, the most common symptoms of any variant of COVID-19 are: Fever or chills. Scientists with the COVID Symptom Study have been tracking symptoms associated with newly diagnosed COVID cases since early in the pandemic. CDC recommends the first COVID-19 booster. Cough. Gulick says people who are over 65 years old, those who are immunocompromised, and those with comorbidities such as obesity, diabetes, and hypertension, can still get seriously ill. Read on to learn more about the newest Omicron subvariant and its most common symptoms. Some other lesser known symptoms include vomiting, lack of appetite, nausea and diarrhea according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Find a COVID-19 vaccine or booster near you: https://t.co/xbvNiaVJKV. Unlike COVID-19, a cold is usually . For those without symptoms, CDC guidance states they are considered contagious at least two days before their positive test. 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 passenger . "It is highly anticipated that a more targeted vaccine to current variants will be needed for the fall.".