"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. 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. Most people will have a saturation of between 97 and 100 per cent, she says. 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. Runny nose. In both clinical trials, the most commonly reported side effects within seven days of receiving the shot were: That's a familiar list: It's the same group of side effects that came with the original formulations. 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. Why are more workers returning to the office in Asia and Europe than the U.S.? That's a familiar list: It's the same group of side effects that came with the original . The Omicron coronavirus variant is very transmissible, making it likely you or someone you know will catch it. 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 . "The vaccines will most likely remain effective with BA.2.12.1, as they were intended to prevent severe COVID and hospitalization but not for preventing infection [outright].". But health experts have noted a few differences between the omicron family and its predecessors. People who are mixing socially and those who are unvaccinated are more susceptible to contracting COVID-19. She recommends taking ibuprofen (also known by the brand name Advil) or acetaminophen (also known as Tylenol), or cold and flu medication that includes those painkillers. 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. 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. Tiredness. Trends in number of COVID-19 cases and deaths in the US reported to the CDC, by state/territory. Hundreds of Americans are still dying from COVID-19 each day. Sore throat continues to be a symptom reported, particularly in mild breakthrough infections, Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady previously stated. If someone is showing any of these signs, seek emergency medical care immediately: Trouble breathing But we do know it to be more transmissible and more immune-evading. "Sometimes they don't realize how short of breath they are until it's too late, particularly in younger patients," she said. "So if you're feeling at all under the weather, please make sure that you get a test, make . 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. This is expected. From the symptoms to how it spreads, everything about this variant was different from its predecessors. Rapid antigen tests may be just as hard to find. 2. The device monitors blood oxygen levels. It'll just take a moment. Sore throat. (Shilpa Thakur) Patients often get COVID diarrhea after being infected with Delta or Omicron . The CDC reports that people's most common complaints when infected with Omicron include cough, runny nose, congestion, and fatigue. Surefire Signs Omicron is in Your Body Eat This Not That The variant is shattering case records and sending test positivity rates soaring. 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. New confusion. . 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. Seek medical attention right away if the vaccine recipient has any of the following symptoms: difficulty breathing, swelling of the face and throat, a fast heartbeat, a bad rash all over . The Omicron variant has seen a change in symptoms being reported though. The virus can infect some cells in a patient's gastrointestinal tract, which would lead to stomach issues like diarrhea, Dr. Pekosz . iStock. ", As of May 9, 2022, national forecasts predict 90010,200 new #COVID19 hospitalizations will likely be reported on June 3. Text Size. "In children, Omicron can lead to gastrointestinal illnesses with symptoms including high fever, diarrhea, and vomiting, which may cause dehydration. He also says that on top of vaccines, its important people wear masks, practice social distancing and avoid indoor crowds whenever possible. All Rights Reserved, These 5 symptoms are the most common in omicron, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data. Also known as "stealth" Omicron, BA.2 is the dominant strain in the U.S., sparking new questions. A Division of NBC Universal. If you're not vaccinated or boosted, I certainly have a much higher concern that you could get infected. It doesnt even make the list of the top five symptoms in the ongoing ZOE COVID Study, according to a Sept. 13 update. The same concept held true during the last round of booster shots. "COVID tends to present similarly, and [it] may vary from person to person, but the most common stuff we're seeing are fevers, congestion, [and] sore throat," Katie Passaretti, MD, vice president and enterprise chief epidemiologist with Atrium Health, told Health. 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. 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. A simple swab of the nose can tell you whether you have COVID-19 in about 15 minutes. What Are Symptoms of BA.4 and BA.5 Variants? For . From vegan to keto, which diet has the highest carbon footprint. "People have to understand, if they feel sick, we don't want them not coming to the emergency department because they're scared. What Are the Symptoms of Omicron BA.5? - Verywell Health According to the CDC, the most common symptoms of any variant of COVID-19 are: Fever or chills. Add some good to your morning and evening. "Please call your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you." You can also notify the operator that you believe you or someone you are caring for has COVID. 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. More than 1 million prescriptions for these antiviral pills were filled at pharmacies between Dec. 23, 2021, and May 21, 2022,a CDC report shows. Arwady said testing is likely not necessary after seven days following exposure for those who are vaccinated and boosted. It's also important to remember that COVID-19 affects everyone differently. And theyre hiding a horrifying secret. "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. These symptoms, also listed by the CDC, can make the omicron infection look like a common cold. "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. "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. 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. Pale, gray, or blue-colored skin, lips, or nail beds, depending on skin tone. "Many patients we're seeing are actually testing positive before they have symptoms, so they're testing positive on a rapid antigen," she said. So can other COVID-19 complaints like headache and muscle pain. stuffy nose. Even now, for people who haven't gotten vaccinated, they can still benefit from vaccination.. Check with your local health center or testing site (find one oncovid.gov/tests) many are offering them for free. "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. You are now subscribed to our newsletters. "Please call your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you.". What kind of symptoms does this highly contagious variant present, you may wonder? Chest pain. With previous coronavirus strains like Delta, the . "You will still be eligible for the upcoming fall booster that will have modifications to improve its effect against newer variants. Idaho lawmaker wants to criminalize the most-used COVID-19 vaccines, What is Orthrus? Gulick says that even for those who are vaccinated, a reinfection rate may be as high as 30%. "But we are certainly seeing an increase in cases in the community, and that's spilling over to more patients admitted with COVID.". Tweet. Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. . Join AARP for just $9 per yearwhen you sign up for a 5-year term. . Many people are reporting cold-like symptoms come with Omicron, particularly among the vaccinated or boosted. ", As of May 9, 258.2 million people have received at least one dose of a #COVID19 vaccine. Health.com uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Health officials arenow recommendingthat everyone 12 and older get an updated booster shot thats designed to better target omicron and its subvariants. Joint pain. Others experience no symptoms at all. With some omicron cases, particularly breakthrough infections in those who are boosted and vaccinated, remaining mild, many are wondering how to tell if it's a cold, the flu or COVID-19. 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. She noted also that these symptoms may only reflect certain populations. 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. Omicron-specific Covid booster shot side effects: What to expect - CNBC "It can drop a little bit lower than that and still be safe. An increase in new cases is being linked to common symptoms related to this highly contagious variant, which may be indistinguishable from other seasonal conditions this spring. 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. "We should keep our eyes wide open to what side effects and adverse events might occur, and still keep in mind that this is a new product," Offit says. A passenger . 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 . WATCH |CBC's Marketplace has tips on how to spot counterfeit masks: In the meantime, you can adapt existing masks for better protection to filter particles in the environment. Comments are welcome while open. A multicenter study in 2022 looked at 1672 hospitalized COVID-19 positive . Stage three is when early symptoms start to pop up, like lower back ache, night sweats and a scratchy throat. Find a COVID-19 vaccine or booster near you: https://t.co/xbvNiaVJKV. Opinion: How did COVID-19 start? Cough. 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. medRxiv. Unlike COVID-19, a cold is usually . Coronavirus or Cold Symptoms: How Do They Compare? They may be all equally severe or present different . People with prior infection, even with BA.1 and BA.2, are likely still at risk for BA.4 or BA.5.. 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.