What To Expect from the New Covid-19 Variant

Covid-19 has created chaos around the world, and the situation continues to develop with the onset of a new dominant variant that no one knows a lot about: Omicron. Some people are assuming that it is like any other form of Covid-19, but early data reveals some unique things about this new strain.

The symptoms of this variant are somewhat different, as is their severity, so read this guide to learn how to recognize and respond to the Omicron variant.

1. Shorter Time to Develop Symptoms After an Exposure

We know that people suffering from Covid-19  can take 4-5 days to exhibit symptoms, but that is not the case with the Omicron variant because it often shows symptoms much sooner after the exposure.

Research conducted in Norway showed that Omicron symptoms show up in an average of 3 days, nearly half the time of earlier strains. This research also shows that the Omicron infections spread faster than prior waves.

2. Faster Replication in the Respiratory Tract

One of the reasons Omicron replicates faster is that it does so in the upper respiratory tract rather than in the lungs like previous variants.

Because of this, Omicron is more contagious than the other two variants of Covid-19, which is why hospitals are being filled faster.

3. Less Severe In Lungs Than The Other Variants

Because Omicron attacks the upper part of your respiratory system or airways, it is not as lethal as Delta's attack in the lungs and does not cause severe illness because of damaged lungs.

That does not mean it cannot be a severe disease, only that it tends to cause less damage to lung tissues.

4. Generally Mild Symptoms

The symptoms of this new variant are not as aggressive as earlier variants, especially for vaccinated people, who often experience a very mild illness. Nevertheless, this is still Covid 19. Symptoms like congestion and headache often resemble a cold in their severity, and that is why many people don't really realize that they have Omicron, thus enabling its spread.

Nevertheless, thousands of people have been hospitalized due to Omicron, and hospitalizations are 13-17 times more likely among the unvaccinated. For those with underlying health conditions, advanced age, and lack of immunization, Omicron can still be a dangerous and even deadly disease.

5. The Loss of Taste and Smell Is Less Common

Loss of taste and smell was one of few identifying symptoms of Covid-19, but things have changed since and the virus has also transformed itself. With the Omicron variant, you are less likely to experience any loss of taste or smell.

6. Cough

Cough is a common early symptom for the Omicron variant, as many people with this virus report discomfort, itching, and dryness that cause a sore throat. Nevertheless, many Omicron cases do not have cough at all.

7. Headache

Headache is a very prominent symptom of earlier variants, but if we talk about Omicron, the headache does not seem to be as prominent. Headaches are associated with Omicron, but they tend to be milder and related to congestion and stuffiness.

8. Fatigue Or Tiredness

Pain in the whole body and fatigue is yet another symptom of the Omicron variant, and you will notice yourself being drained and tired if you have Omicron.

The Omicron variant can also make your body very sour, and you will feel muscle fatigue all the time. The good thing is that this fatigue only lasts for about 1-2 days.

9. Congestion and Runny Nose

According to the Centers for Disease Control and other health organizations, runny nose and congestion are the most prominent symptoms of Omicron. Sneezing is also common. Because these are also symptoms of the common cold, many people are not taking it seriously.

Long Term Symptoms

Though people are considering Omicron as a very mild virus that will not turn into a severe illness, Omicron still has its own dangerous long-term symptoms, so you still need to be careful to take steps to protect yourself. Let's have a look at some of the more long-term symptoms of the Omicron variant.

1. Omicron May Act More Like Bronchitis Than Pneumonia

As discussed, Omicron does not go deep into your lungs, so it does not cause inflammation in your lungs as Pneumonia does. This symptom of lung inflammation is also prevalent in earlier forms of Covid-19, but Omicron does not cause noticeable inflammation in your lungs.

However, you can consider Omicron to be a very similar disease to Bronchitis because it damages your respiratory tract. Bronchitis is also known for inflaming your bronchial tube lining, and the Omicron variant also does pretty much the same because these airways are high up in your respiratory system.

So, as Omicron exhibits symptoms similar to Bronchitis, you might experience coughing and excessive production of sputum, which is a type of thick mucus.

But, as people going through Acute Bronchitis do not experience excessive shortness of breath, and even if they do, it only lasts for a few days, it is very likely that people with the Omicron virus also don't have severe shortness of breath.

2. Crushing Fatigue

The fatigue in the Omicron virus can be very long-term, and you might experience pain in your body even after completely recovering from the disease. It is mainly because fatigue is one of the long-term symptoms of Omicron, and it even lasts for quite a while after you are recovered.

You may start experiencing crushing fatigue after getting Omicron, and this may stay with you for quite a long while.

3. Irregular Heart Rhythms

Along with other common symptoms of Omicron, there is a very unique symptom that you don't usually see in a lot of diseases, and that symptom is irregular heart rhythms.

This irregularity of rhythms might stay with you for a while after the recovery, and you can start experiencing irregular heart rhythms just after a few days of contacting Omicron. Researchers have found that irregularity in heart rhythms is a very common symptom, and many Omicron patients experience it.

Summing Up

Lastly, make sure that you look for the symptoms of Omicron around you because it is spreading a lot faster than most people imagined. Though it is good that Omicron symptoms are generally not as severe, they still are dangerous for many people who are not vaccinated, so stay safe.

Santos Research Center continues to conduct paid clinical trials to find treatments for Covid-19 and many other illnesses. You can also take part in our paid trials with our expert researchers from around the world. Contact us at 813-249-9100 or visit www.santosresearch.com.