It can still cause severe disease, particularly among people who are not vaccinated, [as well as] people of older age and people with underlying conditions. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Rochelle Walensky echoed this warning during a recent press briefing, explaining that when it comes to omicron, milder does not mean mild., If omicron isnt necessarily mild, what is it? She adds, Over-the-counter cough suppressants antitussives taken before bed can be very helpful. If your cough hangs on even after youre past the worse of the acute infection, could you still be spreading COVID-19? Furthermore, anecdotal reports on social media and other platforms claim that more specific combinations of symptoms characterize Omicron infections. The cough tends to come on quickly, says Dr. Checkley, beginning about a day or so after the onset of illness, but it doesnt typically subside quickly, especially for people who arent vaccinated. If the cough is not treated timely, then it can become a cause for many other types of diseases. There is no specific cure for the omicron variant and there is no vaccine available to prevent its spread. The pills are currently in short supply, but federal officials have announced plans to make them and testing, since a quick diagnosis is key more accessible. How to get rid of dry cough- A person suffering from a dry cough may experience pain in the stomach and ribs. What are the other symptoms of the omicron variant of COVID? Shortness of breath/difficulty breathing. What Does Green Snot Tell You About Your Health? At first, scientists thought BA.2 wasnt as contagious as BA.1 and would fade away soon. However, some people may still get very sick, need to be hospitalized, and could die from an Omicron infection. Over-the-counter cough medications may dull your cough, although they wont treat the underlying inflammation. There are many different types of omicron variants, and it can be tricky to identify them all. But its also possible that the COVID-19 virus may directly or indirectly target the sensory nerves themselves, as a part of the infection, says Checkley, adding that this theory needs further study. Fearless and Abundant: 5 Hacks to Beat Fear and Become More Successful, Yeast Infection After Birth: Symptoms, Diagnose, Treatment. According to the ZOE COVID Symptom Study, 70 per cent of patients recover from Omicron symptoms in seven days. My general rule for everybody, but particularly for older folks, is that you want them absolutely in the hospital for when they need to be there. Shortness of breath/difficulty breathing. First, it is a very sensitive virus and should be treated with caution. Heart failure: Could a low sodium diet sometimes do more harm than good? Get a test. But it can be fixed using a few remedies. And when they don't need to be there, you really want them out of there, Wachter adds. Stomach Flu vs. COVID-19: Here's How To Tell the Difference. The number of people testing positive has risen in areas of South Africa affected by this variant, but epidemiologic studies are underway to understand if it is because of Omicron or other factors. nausea or vomiting. Please consult a doctor before following any of the above-mentioned treatments/medications/diets. What happens if you become infected with the Omicron variant, and symptoms are mild enough not to require hospitalized care? With close to 85 cases of the Omicron variant in India, there is a need to step-up precautions by getting vaccinated and following all safety protocols. Severity of disease:It is not yet clear whether infection with Omicroncauses more severe disease compared to infections with other variants, including Delta. It is important to be aware of the symptoms of this virus and to seek medical attention if you are infected. Hence, cough has become a problem for everyone. This can be tricky, but with a little practice, you will be able to do it. According to The New York Times, experts recommend following these tips to soothe a sore throat: AsI previously reported, omicron subvariants have a shorter incubation period, which is why thesymptomsmay appear earlier. The BA.4 and BA.5 variants are close enough to the original Omicron virus that existing COVID-19 vaccines help prevent serious illness. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says. 1. Common symptoms of postnasal drip include: 1. Yet the researchers found that omicron does not infect the lungs as much as earlier variants do, suggesting that it is less likely to cause severe disease. The variety of symptoms seen with Omicron is the same as with other SARS-CoV-2 variants, he said. Instead of loss of smell being indicative of a COVID-19 infection, the most common and most severe symptom now is a sore throat. Consuming one and a half teaspoons of honey half an hour before going to bed at night reduces the phlegm and helps one sleep better. The omicron variant of the coronavirus is known for being milder or just a cold, but this variant of COVID-19 is still a significant risk for some. How do you manage Omicron BA.5 symptoms, including a sore throat? There are two types of cough i.e. Other safety measures. Along with the spike protein mutation, BA.5 has additional mutations that distinguish it from BA.4. Therefore, it cannot be treated with mucolytic To complicate matters, doctors are starting to see more patients who test positive for COVID-19 after being admitted to the hospital for other conditions. Weeks later, Im still coughing intermittently at night, she says. Long COVID Symptoms May Include Hair Loss and Sexual Dysfunction, Study Shows, What Are the First Signs of Monkeypox? Tell us atnj.com/tips. Health.com uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. In addition, information will be available on WHOs digital and social media platforms. "Chronic cough does not usually interfere with people's activities in a way that some other symptoms associated with long COVID do. 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Effectiveness of current treatments: Corticosteroids and IL6 Receptor Blockers will still be effective for managing patients with severe COVID-19. The first step is to familiarize yourself with the different types of omicron variants. Absent your COVID infection, you would not have gotten sick, in the same way that in many older people, a urinary tract infection or even a small pneumonia is enough to make their chronic condition worse, Wachter says. Long COVID or post-COVID conditions. Omicron is not the common cold, the World Health Organizations Maria Van Kerkhove cautioned during a January press briefing. A cup of warm tea or warm lemon water sweetened with two teaspoons of honey can ease a persistent cough, according to the Mayo Clinic Book of Home Remedies. So it's important to get your COVID-19vaccineand boosters. "The whole purpose of a cough is for the body to clear the airway of stuff that shouldn't be down there," said Dr. Schaffner. Having a cough is one of the main symptoms of COVID-19but what if that cough lingers long after you've started feeling better or are no longer testing positive for the virus? The new subvariant is already prevalent in four states Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska which are seeing the highest BA.4.6 proportions, with up to 13.2% of sequenced specimens. AARP Membership - LIMITED TIME FLASH SALE. Idaho lawmaker wants to criminalize the most-used COVID-19 vaccines, What is Orthrus? Instead of loss of smell being indicative of a COVID-19 infection, the most common and most severe symptom now is a sore throat. If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to see a doctor right away, as omicron variant can be a serious disease. Will Be Wonderful If All Can Speak 5 Languages, Omicron: Suffering From Cough During Covid-19? A January 2022 study in Denmark showed no difference in the number of hospitalizations caused by BA.2 compared to BA.1. One way is to look at pictures of omicron variants and try to identify them. Testing for genetic markers can also reveal, more specifically, the SARS-CoV-2 variant. Mouni Roy Look: Mouni Roys latest neon sky blue gown look. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) lists the possible symptoms of a SARS-CoV-2 infection without specifying a variant. There are three main types: omicron beta, omicron theta, and omicron pi. It might be enough to tip them over, Wachter says about an otherwise mild infection. The biggest thing we worry about is that it causes inflammation in the lungs, and then you cannot oxygenate [the body,] Washington Hospital Centers Wortmann says. BA.4 subvariant. Disclaimer: ABP Live does not confirm the methods, procedures, and claims mentioned in this article. Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription toAARP The Magazine. Recommended treatment is directed at the symptoms: stay hydrated, rested, and well-nourished. As the omicron wave crests and infections fall, Wachter predicts that one of the biggest challenges for older adults particularly those who have been in hunker-down mode for two years will be trying to decide when its safe to resume a more normal state of life. Is exercise more effective than medication for depression and anxiety? Heres why youre hacking away and how to get some relief. Vaccines are still the best public health step to protect people from serious illness from COVID-19. Studies suggest the incubation period for Omicron is a median of 3 to 4 days. That may be because, unlike other variants, Omicron preferentially infects the upper respiratory tract. Here's what you need to know. The risk of transmissibility drops significantly after 10 days, says Checkley. Did Woody Harrelson promote a COVID-19 anti-vaccine theory on Saturday Night Live? According to infectious disease doctors, a lingering cough after COVID-19 is possible, but it's not usually a cause for concernnor is it strictly related to the SARS-CoV-2 virus. WHO encourages countries to contribute the collection and sharing of hospitalized patient data through theWHO COVID-19 Clinical Data Platformto rapidly describe clinical characteristics and patient outcomes. How to get a COVID booster shot at CVS, Walgreens or Rite Aid, The side effects you might get from a COVID booster shot, The omicron variant symptoms to look out for if you get vaccinated, Omicron variant: The most commonly reported symptoms so far, according to the CDC, Our journalism needs your support. Learn more about how to treat the symptoms at home here. And though it's not necessarily bad or harmful to have a lingering cough from COVID-19, you can try to keep it under control with over-the-counter cough medicine, added Dr. Adalja. At the present time, WHO is coordinating with a large number of researchers around the world to better understand Omicron. These mutations affect the "spike" proteins that help the virus latch onto and infect your cells. Omicron Pharmaceuticals DSP Tower-North, 10th floor Unit 1008N Al Barsha, Al Barsha South MNT is the registered trade mark of Healthline Media. The longtime symptom of Covid is becoming more common, and sometimes more severe, with the dominant BA.5 subvariant. There are a few things you should know about omicron variant. For most omicron COVID cases, particularly breakthrough infections in those who are boosted and vaccinated, tend to remain mild and produce cold or flu-like symptoms. Dementia and other neurological conditions. Loneliness and isolationis a real risk, Lachs says one that can also worsen the health of older adults, according to the CDC. This helps remove the phlegm quickly. ", Eurosurveillance: Outbreak caused by the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in Norway, November to December 2021, Shorter serial intervals in SARS-CoV-2 cases with Omicron BA.1 variant compared with Delta variant, the Netherlands, 13 to 26 December 2021., GAVI: Five things weve learned about the BA.4 and BA.5 Omicron variants., NPR.org: A second version of omicron is spreading. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. WHO is providing countries with support and guidance for both readiness and response. The Zoe COVID Study conducted by researchers from health science company ZOE and Kings College London in the United Kingdom uses data from over 4,000,000 participants. For some of these people, a COVID-19 diagnosis is truly unrelated to their admission for example, a patient coming in for a routine surgery or for injuries sustained in a car crash. How Long Does COVID-19 Last? All rights reserved (About Us). 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