Mary Onyia
These are some of the signs or symptoms to watch out for omicron, the new COVID variant discovered in November 2021:
Initial reports suggest that the symptoms of omicron might be milder. No one is, however, sure if these omicron variant is more or less likely to cause severe illness than previous variants.
Some symptoms could be so different and so mild, depending on the person, his age, and health history; sufferers could experience extreme tiredness, while others may witness an elevated heart rate. Some may not necessarily lose their sense of taste and smell.
There is a lot that is still not known about this new variant but experts are still investigating at how the virus affects people based on their age, their underlying immune status and whether or not they have received their two jabs of vaccination and a booster.
In view of the fact that experts have yet to find any particular symptoms linked to omicron, the public have been advised to look out for common symptoms of COVID: fever or chills, cough, runny nose, headache or muscle aches, gastrointestinal issues and loss of taste or smell. People or persons who experience any of these symptoms are advised to see their doctors and get tested whether vaccinated or not, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
And you should also get tested if you’re not experiencing symptoms, but have come into close contact with someone who has COVID. (Fully vaccinated people should wait five to seven days; those who are not fully vaccinated should get tested immediately and then again several days later.)
PCR tests, experts have advised, will continue to be the gold standard, while rapid antigen tests are less reliable. Masking up and getting boosted are crucial.
For now, experts say the most important thing people can do is stick with the preventive measures that have worked so far: wear a mask when you’re in public indoor settings with substantial or high transmission.
Also, get vaccinated if you haven’t already, and get boosted. The CDC has stepped up its recommendation in response to the threat of omicron to stave off serious illness, even if breakthrough infections become more common.