WHAT IS A OMICRON

                                                  WHAT IS OMICRON

The coronavirus has come before us by changing form Omicron (SARS-CoV-2) is a variant of COVID-19 or coronavirus and It is named after the fifteenth letter of the Greek alphabet Omicron virus.

The World Health Organization (WHO) first received information about it from South Africa on 24 November 2021. On 26 November 2021, WHO designated it as a concern.

                                                     How does Omicron Mutation?

1. The variant contains a large number of mutations, some of which have been understood by scientists. These thirty-two mutations affect the spike protein. Antibodies produced by infections are the main antigenic target and are widely administered.

                                                          Potential Consequences?

Those who were previously infected and also in vaccinated people. It is also possible that the Omicron variant is more contagious than the earlier variant in this respect. WHO has warned.

Cardiff University's Professor of Immunology (immunologist) Paul Morgan also recommends vaccination.

                                                           Signs and symptoms?

Angelique Coetzee, president of the South African Medical Association, said she first encountered this type in patients with fatigue, aches and pains. but no cough or change in sense of smell or taste etc.

Multiple mutations of the spike protein are present in other forms of concern that are related to increased infectivity and antibodies. that the variant can also evade cell-mediated immunity Computational modelling reveals.

                                                          TESTING OF DELTA

Current PCR tests can detect the variant. Some laboratories have indicated that the widely used PCR test does not detect one of the three target genes.

                                                               Redressal

Avoid crowds and close contact, wear well-fitting masks, wash hands frequently and get vaccinated.

In December, preliminary results from a laboratory test conducted at the Africa Health Research Institute in Durban found a 40 /41 fold reduction in neutralizing antibody activity against the variant in some samples with 12 people receiving the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. It's a big drawback, but it doesn't mean. The variant can completely survive vaccines, so vaccination with current vaccines is still recommended.