The staggering rise in the number of COVID-19 cases has everyone alarmed. To top it off, the Omicron variant and symptoms run rampant all over the world. Making it difficult for health officials to remain calm.
Until now, Omicron is said to affect the upper respiratory system
However, experts have said that the new variant is unlike any of the previous SARs-COV-2 strains, as it is comparatively softer and more manageable.
So far, Omicron is said to affect the upper respiratory system, causing mild cold-like symptoms and seems to cause less damage to the lungs, which is surely a relief.
How are the symptoms of Omicron different from those of the Delta variant?
The Delta variant is known to cause serious illness, leading to hospitalizations and deaths. Many during the second wave of COVID-19 suffered from very distressing symptoms ranging from something as mild as cough, fever, and loss of smell, taste, to severe symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, and serious lung infections.
Some even succumbed to the virus.
In contrast, the omicron variant is less likely to involve the lungs and is largely mild. Experts have even come to the fore and said that the new variant of COVID could resemble a common cold or the flu. But much remains under speculation and more research is expected.
The 14 symptoms of omicron, ranked from most to least prevalent
Using the data from Zoe COVID Symptom UK Study, Business Insider recently revealed a graph depicting symptoms from highest to lowest prevalence of Omicron. It also highlighted the percentage of people who suffered from a specific symptom.
- Runny nose: 73%.
- Headache: 68%.
- Fatigue: 64%.
- Sneezing: 60%.
- Sore throat: 60%.
- Persistent cough: 44%.
- Hoarse voice: 36%.
- Chills or chills: 30%.
- Fever: 29%.
- Dizziness: 28%.
- Brain fog: 24%.
- Muscle pain: 23%.
- Loss of smell: 19%.
- Chest pain: 19%.
When should you get tested?
Ideally, the incubation period for coronavirus, which is the number of days between when you are infected and when you develop or notice symptoms, can range from 1 to 14 days, most commonly around 5 days.
According to World Health Organization (WHO), “On average, symptoms take five to six days from when someone is infected with the virus, however it can take up to 14 days.”
However, based on early data, the time it takes for an infected person to develop symptoms after an exposure may be shorter for Omicron than for previous variants. While the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said that people infected with COVID-19 may be most contagious a few days before or after the onset of symptoms. Experts have said the window may be shorter for people infected with Omicron.
Therefore, if you come into close contact with a confirmed COVID-19 patient or start developing symptoms, get tested immediately.
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