What are The Symptoms of Omicron? And, what are the Preventive measures you should take?

 Omicron Meaning

  CDC has been collaborating with global public health and business partners to learn about Omicron, as we continue to monitor its course. 

We don’t yet know how simply it spreads, the severity of unhealthiness it causes, or how well available vaccines and medications work against it.

 Spread

 The Omicron variant possibly will spread more easily than the original SARS-CoV-2 virus, and how easily Omicron spreads compared to Delta remains unknown. 

CDC expects that anyone with Omicron infection will spread the virus to others, even if they are vaccinated or don’t have symptoms.

 Severe Illness

 More information is needed to know if Omicron infections, and especially reinfections and breakthrough infections in people that are totally vaccinated, cause a lot of severe illness or death than infection with alternative variants.

 Vaccines

 Current vaccines are expected to protect against severe illness, hospitalizations, and deaths because of infection with the Omicron variant. 

However, breakthrough infections in people that are fully vaccinated are possibly to occur. 

With alternative variants, like Delta, vaccines have remained effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalizations, and death. 

The recent emergence of Omicron further emphasizes the importance of vaccination and boosters.

 Treatments

  Based on the changed genetic make-up of Omicron, some treatments are likely to remain effective, whereas others are also less effective.

 How long will it take for Omicron symptoms to appear?

 The recently discovered Omicron variant of COVID-19 is spreading at a fast pace in different parts of the world, including India. 

The country reported 175 new cases of Omicron variant in the morning, taking the full tally of individuals infected with this new strain to 1892. 

Though the symptoms of Omicron are believed to be milder than that of Delta, the rising cases have stirred concern and panic among individuals, raising concern over the third wave of the coronavirus. 

Yet it is too early to say something regarding the complications related to Omicron infections and the effectiveness of the vaccines because the strain is relatively new and not a lot of information is available on it. 

Looking at the current situation, the most effective solution is to follow COVID norms and get vaccinated to reduce the risk of infection.

 Symptoms,

 When infected with the new mutant variant, the individual experiences a lot of or less the same symptoms as witnessed when infected with the original coronavirus or the previously mutated virus. 

The first few symptoms of Omicron are mild fever, fatigue, scratchy/abrasive throat, and body pain. 

Loss of smell and taste, which was a common ailment during the infection with Delta variant, isn't related to omicron. 

As far as, post-infection complication of the new variant of concern goes, no information on this matter is available till now. Researchers are still trying to assemble a lot of information on this new virus that originated in South Africa just over a month ago.

 Preventive measures you should take

 If you have come in contact with anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19, immediately isolate yourself. 

Stay away from others for at least a minimum of 10 days to reduce the risk of infection. 

In the meantime, get yourself tested. Even if you are vaccinated or have been following all the COVID norms, isolation is important to protect your loved one from the risk of infection. 

If you witness any symptoms related to COVID-19 during the isolation period, contact your doctor to know the further course of action.