In the fall of 2022, experts weren't sure how severely the Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants would affect the U.S. population. Others say it's trivial.". The omicron subvariant of COVID-19, BA.5, became one of the dominant strains of the virus in the fall of 2022 in the U.S. At that time, it was the most easily spread strain to date and is able to evade immunity from COVID infection and vaccination. Health's content is for informational and educational purposes only. Why are more workers returning to the office in Asia and Europe than the U.S.? "I've told my own staff this, it's what I do myself if you are sick, even a little bit sick, stay home. Flashback: Gastrointestinal symptoms have been mentioned as possible symptoms before. Those looking to get tested after exposure should do so five days after the exposure or if they begin experiencing, the CDC recommends. We want them to seek the appropriate medical care," she said. Any combination, and varying levels of severity, of the following symptoms may be triggered by an Omicron SARS-CoV-2 infection. Those who are unvaccinated, however, are experiencing similar symptoms to early on in the pandemic, Arwady said. A new variant of SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19), B.1.1.529 (Omicron) ( 1 ), was first reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) by South Africa on November 24, 2021. "If you're taking multiple at home tests, you know, the recommendation is five days later take a test. Patients often get COVID diarrhea after being infected with Delta or Omicron strains, even if they had two or three doses of vaccination. Loss of smell or taste. Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. AARP Members Only Access to Special Health Content, Access AARP health Smart Guides, articles and special content. She repeated earlier calls for people who have any flu- or cold-like symptoms to assume they have COVID "until proven otherwise. We reserve the right to close comments at any time. Check with your local health center or testing site (find one oncovid.gov/tests) many are offering them for free. Anyone exhibiting symptoms should get tested for COVID-19. What To Know About the First Updated COVID-19 Booster, Omicron vs. Delta: How the 2 COVID-19 Variants Compare. At Atrium Health hospitals, where Dr. Passarettti works, hospitalizations due to the BA.5 variant spiked in mid-2022. Opinion: How did COVID-19 start? 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 . You can also notify the operator that you believe you or someone you are caring for has COVID. The newer subvariants have the ability to evade immunity from vaccines or prior infections, or both, perthe Deseret News. By submitting a comment, you accept that CBC has the right to reproduce and publish that comment in whole or in part, in any manner CBC chooses. Javascript must be enabled to use this site. Looks like you have exceeded the limit to bookmark the image. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says people who test positive for COVID-19 need . 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 . The CDC recommends getting the flu shot before theend of October; adults 65 and older should ask forthe high-dose version. Still, CDC data showed the most common symptoms so far are cough, fatigue, congestion and a runny nose. It found five symptoms were the most common: Over 80% commonly reported a cough, while 72% experienced a sore throat. How to Protect Against the Omicron Variant, Expect new treatments, more testing and additional variants, Using letters of the alphabet simplifies tracking, Join AARP for just $9 per year when you sign up for a 5-year term -43% off the standard annual rate, Access exclusive discounts, programs, & services, Double down with a FREE second membership. Fever. AARP Membership LIMITED TIME FLASH SALE. "What we're seeing with pretty early data is household attack rates are very, very high with Omicron, even compared to other variants of SARS-CoV-2, and that was already fairly high," said Oughton. A stuffy nose was reported by 78%. Individuals with Medicare can get up to eight free tests a month, and many private insurance plans also cover them. pic.twitter.com/PcgVBYojKi. "This list is not all possible symptoms," the CDC states. 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. Although milder symptoms are better in many respects, omicron has made itmore difficult for people to tellwhats COVID-19 and whats just a cold or the flu or a whole host of other respiratory illnesses that circulate this time of year. Dr. Oughton says other warning signs include persistent fever that lasts at least two days, if not more, and heart palpitations. An associate practitioner administers a coronavirus vaccine at Elland Road in Leeds . If you can, isolate from the rest of your household. In the winter, when we experience cold and flu season, it can be hard to differentiate a COVID infection from other viruses. 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. Babcock says that new data shows that people who were vaccinated and got infected with a previous variant of the virus had a much lower risk of long COVID than unvaccinated people who got infected. If you experience diarrhea with COVID-19, you are not alone. They've often been associated with those who are feeling mild COVID-19 symptoms, including children, according to Insider. If your test comes back positive, ask your doctor if youre eligible for a COVID-19 treatment, such as one of the new antivirals even if your symptoms are mild. 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. Health officials arenow recommendingthat everyone 12 and older get an updated booster shot thats designed to better target omicron and its subvariants. Omicron BA.2 was the dominant . He also says that on top of vaccines, its important people wear masks, practice social distancing and avoid indoor crowds whenever possible. "They may only feel like they have a cold," she said. 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. Research published in April 2022 in The Lancet also found that . A study by the U.K.'s Health Security Agency comparing symptoms of omicron and delta found the occurrence of nausea and vomiting was about the same with both variants. What Are Symptoms of BA.4 and BA.5 Variants? If someone else in your household has tested positive or has symptoms, it's probably safe to assume you do, too. Again, everyone is different and will experience their own early symptoms, but these seem to be among the group reported be most patients. JACKSONVILLE, Fla. Omicron cases on the . 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. But Passaretti has heard that people with BA.5 or Omicron may experience worse fevers and sore throats. Further, 30 percent of patients with the Alpha variant (dominant in late 2020) experienced diarrhea. Communities can avoid major complications and deaths from the BA.4 and BA.5 variants the same way as with any other variant. Pale, gray, or blue-colored skin, lips, or nail beds, depending on skin tone. Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea have been COVID symptoms since the initial COVID struck and may still strike you. Diarrhea as a symptom of COVID-19 has significant consequences for public health. Persistent pain or pressure in the chest. Starting the medications right away can significantly reduce your risks for being hospitalized with COVID-19. "The Coronavirus Self-Checker is an interactive clinical assessment tool that will assist individuals ages 13 and older, and parents and caregivers of children ages 2 to 12 on deciding when to seek testing or medical care if they suspect they or someone they know has contracted COVID-19 or has come into close contact with someone who has COVID-19," the CDC's website reads. Written and produced by Andrea BellemareandVik Adhopia with files from Melanie Glanz. Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. Predict the closing value of sensex and win free subscription. (Shilpa Thakur) Patients often get COVID diarrhea after being infected with Delta or Omicron . CDC recommends the first COVID-19 booster. Other people may have muscle aches, fever . CDC will continue to update this list as they learn more about the virus. Even those who have suffered from Delta and Alpha variants had also complained of this symptom. When Can More People Get a Second COVID Booster? . In the world of infectious disease and epidemiology, mild doesnt always mean sniffles; the marker of a mild disease is whether or not people end up in the hospital. "If you want to be extra careful, you can do it at 10, but just with what we're seeing, I would consider you really in the clear. According to the American Medical Association (AMA), the most common symptoms of BA.5 are: Fever. The good news is that overall, Omicron is milder than Delta in both vaccinated and unvaccinated people, Gulick says. 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. But if you're gonna do it once do it in five and I feel good about that.". They also examined clinical trial data on earlier versions of bivalent boosters targeting omicron's BA.1 subvariant. Most reports indicate that even the latest Omicron subvariant doesn't lead to severe symptoms in breakthrough cases, nor a spike in hospitalizations or death outright. But COVID-19 can cause symptoms you may not expect, including: Digestive symptoms. "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. 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 are eligible for the additional booster this spring, please get it to receive additional protection against both mild and severe disease," Dr. Huang advises. 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. "If you had an exposure, you're vaccinated and boosted, I don't think that there is any need to be testing, frankly, past about seven days," she said. Other people may have muscle aches, fever and chills. Some other lesser known symptoms include vomiting, lack of appetite, nausea and diarrhea according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Lab tests show some falling way short of filtration standards. 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 . "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. She notes they can also be purchased online. "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. 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 . Congestion or runny nose. Arwady said testing is likely not necessary after seven days following exposure for those who are vaccinated and boosted. If someone is showing any of these signs, seek emergency medical care immediately: Trouble breathing CBC Marketplace tested KN95 and KF94 masks sold online and at big box stores. A different privacy policy and terms of service will apply. Another consideration: Shortly after omicron burst on the scene, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized twoantiviral medicationsthat can help keep a mild infection from progressing to a serious one. Symptoms usually appear one to three days after exposure to a cold-causing virus. Omicron has become the dominant variant of the coronavirus in the U.S. Our understanding of the variant continues to evolve, but we know more about Omicron now than we did when it first appearedincluding its symptoms. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky called them "more transmissible and more immune evading" than other Omicron variants in a 2022 White House press briefing. 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). Very sick patients often feel short of breath, says Dr. Lisa Salamon, an emergency physician with Scarborough Health Network in Toronto. Rest assured: They're not expected to be much different from what you may have experienced with previous vaccine and booster doses. Closed Captioning and Described Video is available for many CBC shows offered on CBC Gem. "It is clear that the disproportionate share of infections are those that are weathered at home," she says. So, an increase in the number of children affected is expected. Knowing the signs of Covid-19 is crucial to monitoring your own symptoms, or lack thereof. Add some good to your morning and evening. When search suggestions are available use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. Published Jan 4, 2022. If youre unsure if you have a cold or COVID, get tested as soon as possible. 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. Diarrhea. 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 . In the case of gastrointestinal illness, a doctor should be consulted, and a test should be administered immediately. Fact-checked on July 14, 2022, by Marley Hall, a writer and fact checker specializing in medical and health information. 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. Pseudonyms will no longer be permitted. Shutterstock. New confusion. From vegan to keto, which diet has the highest carbon footprint. The FDA recommends taking another test 48 hours after the first. Sore throat. Those patients go on to develop symptomstwo or three days later, and then often find their symptoms startimprovingthree or four days after that. According to the CDC, the incubation period for COVID is between two and 14 days, though the newest guidance from the agency suggests a quarantine of five days for those who are not boosted, but eligible or unvaccinated. "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. A passenger . COVID symptoms range from pain felt within the body such as muscle pain, sore throat or a loss of smell and taste. This is a subscriber only feature Subscribe Now to get daily updates on WhatsApp. 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. Find a COVID-19 vaccine or booster near you: https://t.co/xbvNiaVJKV. It's also important to remember that COVID-19 affects everyone differently. 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. Box 500 Station A Toronto, ON Canada, M5W 1E6. Inability to wake or stay awake. Listen. Hundreds of Americans are still dying from COVID-19 each day. Even now, for people who haven't gotten vaccinated, they can still benefit from vaccination.. 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. That's how we treat it, that's how you should treat it.". For those patients with asthma who are having a wheeze with this, we may prescribe puffers for them to help out," she said. 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. 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 is mindful many places across Canada may be experiencing cold weather, so open windows may be a limited solution. As Gulick points out, getting booster shots is crucial. Moderna's monovalent shot contains 50 micrograms of mRNA per dose targeting the original strain. . Runny nose. The same concept held true during the last round of booster shots. Both experts and public health officers seem to have noted that the BA.2.12.1 variant may be triggering mild breakthrough cases that don't prompt sick individuals to think about signing up for a COVID-19 test. Vomiting. The information in this article is current as of the date listed, which means newer information may be available when you read this. sore throat. ", As of May 9, 258.2 million people have received at least one dose of a #COVID19 vaccine. Severe side effects are "generally" most common after receiving a second dose of a vaccine, not after receiving a third or fourth dose, says Offit. The latest Omicron SARS-CoV-2 subvariant, which scientists have labeled BA.2.12.1, is on track to become the most virulent strain in the United States currently. People who are mixing socially and those who are unvaccinated are more susceptible to contracting COVID-19. You can treat the milder symptomscough, sore throat, runny noseat home. 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. Because omicron symptoms can be mistaken for the common cold or flu, doctors urge anyone experiencing them to isolate until symptoms subside. Be sure to check with your pharmacist if you are taking other medications that those painkillers might interfere with. An 85-year Harvard study found the No. Loss of appetite. And theyre hiding a horrifying secret. Runny nose. The experience of COVID diarrhea is very similar to how we feel sick from a regular stomach bug. Will a U.S. COVID-19 vaccine maker be able to stay in business? pic.twitter.com/MK9wK8GdwB. 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. Chills. 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. Kashif J. Piracha, MD, FACP, FASN, FNKF, is a practicing physician at Methodist Willowbrook Hospital. Also, opt for outdoor activities over indoor ones, and if transmission rates are high in your area, weara maskin indoor public places. "It can drop a little bit lower than that and still be safe. . Omicron symptoms overlap with typical cold symptoms, so it's very important to get tested if you have cold-like symptoms. . And for the most part, that seems to hold true with omicron and its subvariants, including thenow-dominant BA.5. "Especially if you have compatible symptoms, take a negative result with not just one grain of salt, but with maybe a whole truckload of salt," said Oughton. Its possible you have COVID-19 but took the test before the virus was detectable. 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. 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. Persistent pain or pressure in the chest. But other common COVID-19 symptoms, like cough, fever, and loss of smell or taste, are still important signs to watch out for with the Omicron . Rachel Nania writes about health care and health policy for AARP. But unlike delta, many patients are not losing their taste or smell. You may not lose your sense of . . sore throat. Hospitalization rates have decreased dramatically since their peak in January, but still, thousands of individuals are still being admitted daily for COVID-19 and the vast majority of them are older Americans. 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. Finally, dont forget all the preventive efforts that can help you dodge an omicron infection in the first place. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. And will it take Utah for a wild ride?. COVID-19 might cause nausea, vomiting or diarrhea either alone or with other COVID-19 symptoms. Roughly 26% of participants experienced a mild or moderate headache, while only 0.3% experienced a severe one. We do not know about the clinical severity of BA.4 and BA.5 in comparison to our other Omicron subvariants, CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said at a White House COVID-19 Response Team briefing, per CNN. The Omicron coronavirus variant is very transmissible, making it likely you or someone you know will catch it. More: https://t.co/Xys80ZGlxV. ", Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. Redness and swelling at the injection site. Still, omicron appears to cause less severe illness than previous variants, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes. Omicron BA.5 May Increase the Risk of Outdoor TransmissionHere's How to Stay Safe. In case you cant find any email from our side, please check the spam folder. ", 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. People need to get their booster shots for the most protection. In this article, you'll learn: Common symptoms associated with the BA.2.12.1 strain; a full list of potential COVID-19 symptoms; Does the latest Omicron subvariant spread faster than others? "But of course, that's really not the reality for many, maybe even most Canadians who are facing this.". diarrhea. 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. . "The symptoms of the Omicron variant, which includes the BA.2 lineage, and the Delta variant, are similar," Erica Johnson, MD, . Diarrhea; This list does not include all possible symptoms. The incubation period for Omicron is shorter compared to previous variants, and is about three days, saysOughton, an infectious diseases specialist at Jewish General Hospital in Montreal. "[There are] adults who have had fevers of almost 40 degrees Centigrade [104 degrees Fahrenheit]," Dr. Rutherford told Health. Join AARP for just $9 per yearwhen you sign up for a 5-year term. A new subvariant of the Omicron strain of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that leads to a COVID-19 diagnosis, has overtaken earlier variations (including "stealth" Omicron) to likely become the most viral variant here in the United States. Some of the other symptoms experienced are "very similar to the other coronaviruses such as febrile illness and respiratory symptoms." "Patients can also have gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea, and loss of taste or loss of . Runny nose. For the most recent updates on COVID-19, visit ourcoronavirus news page. She noted also that these symptoms may only reflect certain populations. 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. Related articles Omicron variant symptoms: The 'surprise' sign . AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that empowers people to choose how they live as they age. World health leaders are warning that omicron, the new COVID variant discovered in November, could cause "severe consequences. Sneezing. 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. We continue to see new variants, and their different lineages and sublineages, emerge & disappear as they compete against each other. Health.com uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. "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.". 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.