omicron symptoms diarrhea omicron symptoms diarrhea

Here's what to do if you think you have Omicron and when you might need to go to the hospital. Fatigue. Arwady said testing is likely not necessary after seven days following exposure for those who are vaccinated and boosted. "If you do have the option, please use the virtual ED type of models to speak to a provider who can give you some advice about whether you need to head in or not," she said. ", "Even if it's a sore throat, no matter what it is," she said. Fact-checked on July 14, 2022, by Marley Hall, a writer and fact checker specializing in medical and health information. If you're thinking of getting an omicron-specific Covid booster shot, you might be wondering what its side effects are and how severe they might be. Some of the main symptoms of COVID are fever or chills, a cough, and new loss of taste or smell, but there are also other indicators. Sneezing. In fact, when comparing variants, there are usually more symptom similarities than there are differences, says Scott Roberts, M.D., assistant professor and associate medical director of infection prevention at Yale School of Medicine. Morris said symptoms indicative of pneumonia or respiratory failure, like shortness of breath, chest pain, cough tend to show up later, between day five and 10. "You will still be eligible for the upcoming fall booster that will have modifications to improve its effect against newer variants. Here's what we know about what a BA.4 or BA.5 infection can look like and whether symptoms are any more severe than other COVID-19 strains. Omicron appears to cause milder symptoms than previous variantsespecially in fully vaccinated people. Babcock says that new data shows that people who were vaccinated and got infected with a previous variant of the virus had a much lower risk of long COVID than unvaccinated people who got infected. That's how we treat it, that's how you should treat it.". In the world of infectious disease and epidemiology, mild doesnt always mean sniffles; the marker of a mild disease is whether or not people end up in the hospital. The omicron subvariant of COVID-19, BA.5, became one of the dominant strains of the virus in the fall of 2022 in the U.S. At that time, it was the most easily spread strain to date and is able to evade immunity from COVID infection and vaccination. CDC recommends the first COVID-19 booster. . But if your oxygen levels drop and you start to feel dizzy or short of breath, you may need to get treatment for COVID-19 at a hospital. The same concept held true during the last round of booster shots. Copyright 2023 Deseret News Publishing Company. "If your heart [is] missing beats or skipping beats or if your heart's really racing, those would be the other warning signs that really should be taken very seriously," he said. The omicron variant mostly affects the throat, therefore, most of the symptoms associated with this variant are upper respiratory problems. "I think that people [are] having a very hard time wrapping their head around how much that Omicron has changed the rules of the game and how we have to change how we handle it in terms of our own individual risks, as well as our behaviour within a society," said Dr. Matthew Oughton, in an interview with Dr. Brian Goldman, host of CBC podcast The Dose. If you're still wearing a single-ply cloth mask, it won't offer you enough protection and it's time to search out something better. A mild infection then could still leave you with a high fever, chills and muscle aches, and kind of knock you out for a few days, she said. Those looking to get tested after exposure should do so five days after the exposure or if they begin experiencing, the CDC recommends. It found five symptoms were the most common: Over 80% commonly reported a cough, while 72% experienced a sore throat. Opinion: How did COVID-19 start? Idaho lawmaker wants to criminalize the most-used COVID-19 vaccines, What is Orthrus? When we let our guards down and skip out on booster appointments or throw away masks, we are giving the virus more opportunities to spread. Box 500 Station A Toronto, ON Canada, M5W 1E6. A passenger . Digestive symptoms sometimes develop before a fever and respiratory symptoms. Symptoms of Omicron infection may be different, too. Sore throat. The CDC urges those who have or may have COVID-19 to watch for emergency warning signs and seek medical care immediately if they experience symptoms including: "This list is not all possible symptoms," the CDC states. Will BA.2 Cause Another COVID Wave in the U.S.? It'll just take a moment. Written and produced by Andrea BellemareandVik Adhopia with files from Melanie Glanz. Another consideration: Shortly after omicron burst on the scene, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized twoantiviral medicationsthat can help keep a mild infection from progressing to a serious one. "But we are certainly seeing an increase in cases in the community, and that's spilling over to more patients admitted with COVID.". The latest Omicron SARS-CoV-2 subvariant, which scientists have labeled BA.2.12.1, is on track to become the most virulent strain in the United States currently. Oops! Joint pain. Is your N95-style mask failing you? But COVID-19 can cause symptoms you may not expect, including: Digestive symptoms. The bigger picture: These symptoms are a sign that the omicron variant's symptoms are . Published Jan 4, 2022. Some of the symptoms that one may experience in the stomach are - abdominal pain, nausea, bloating, and diarrhoea, rather than breathing issues, coughing, fever, etc. This is expected. Check with your local health center or testing site (find one oncovid.gov/tests) many are offering them for free. iStock. The best way to prevent getting sick is to ensure you're up-to-date on your COVID vaccinations, including any recommended boosters (even if that means seeking out another vaccine brand manufacturer). The Omicron variant has seen a change in symptoms being reported though. Pfizer's trial found that about 52% of participants that received the BA.1 shot experienced mild pain at the injection site, 8% experienced moderate pain and only 0.3% experienced severe pain. The body's milder response to a BA.4 or BA.5 infection means people may not realize they have it and can spread it. People who are mixing socially and those who are unvaccinated are more susceptible to contracting COVID-19. "We aren't seeing at this point in timealthough we continue to monitor closelya steep increase in our number of ICU stays or deaths from COVID," Dr. Passaretti said. Text Size. The top symptoms with Omicron infections, according to a ZOE study, are . Many people are reporting cold-like symptoms come with Omicron, particularly among the vaccinated or boosted. Earlier this month the most common signs of Omicron symptoms were revealed after sufferers logged their ailments in an extensive ZOE Covid Study - with the top five remaining as runny nose, headache, fatigue, sneezing and a sore throat. Laura Hensley is an award-winning lifestyle journalist who has worked in some of the largest newsrooms in Canada. Overall, the symptoms for COVID reported by the CDC include: The CDC also has what it calls a "coronavirus self checker" that allows people to answer a series of questions to determine if they should seek medical care. I'm going to work,'" Dr. Passaretti said. . Omicron estimated to be 95.4% of coronavirus variants in U.S. - CDC, From Delta to Omicron: Analysing the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in France using variant-specific screening tests (September 1 to December 18, 2021). The quick spread of BA.4 and BA.5 sets them apart from other Omicron strains. "You should get tested for COVID-19 if you develop any of the 11 known COVID symptoms," says Dr . Another option to consider if you test negative for COVID-19 but feel ill is a flu test, Washer says, since there are also treatments specific to this illness that can help you feel better. With previous coronavirus strains like Delta, the . Every new COVID-19 variant raises questions about how the symptoms from a new type might affect our health, and the BA.4 and BA.5 Omicron subvariants are no different. Omicron symptoms overlap with typical cold symptoms, so it's very important to get tested if you have cold-like symptoms. Please note that CBC does not endorse the opinions expressed in comments. Fatigue. "If you use the cloth mask as an overlay over top of a surgical mask or a medical mask that sort of improves the quality of the fit on your face,"saidOughton. THE Omicron variant is bringing up a number of unusual symptoms as it spreads across the UK - one of those could be a nasty case of diarrhoea. As Gulick points out, getting booster shots is crucial. "But of course, that's really not the reality for many, maybe even most Canadians who are facing this.". People with prior infection, even with BA.1 and BA.2, are likely still at risk for BA.4 or BA.5.. Diarrhea. What You Need to Know About the Updated COVID-19 Boosters. 5, 2022. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Rachel Nania writes about health care and health policy for AARP. The U.S. CDC has highlighted the variety of Covid symptoms that have been reported, noting "anyone can have mild to severe symptoms" that may appear two to 14 days after exposure to the virus . The FDA recommends taking another test 48 hours after the first. As of September 2022, BA.4 and BA.5 had been infecting large numbers of people for only a few months, making it difficult to confirm these slight differences in symptoms beyond what doctors were seeing. "Be mindful of your symptoms and test early for COVID so that you can take steps to protect others from infection, especially as it relates to events like these. 2023 Dotdash Media, Inc. All rights reserved, Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. The updated booster shots contain the same number of micrograms, with 15 targeting the original strain and the other 15 targeting BA.4 and BA.5. New COVID Variants May Fuel a Winter SurgeWhat to Know About BQ.1, XBB, and Others, Omicron Infection Timeline: When Symptoms Start and How Long They Last, BA.2.75 Is the Newest Omicron SubvariantHere's What We Know So Far. Symptoms to watch for and when to seek hospital care. Let's delve deeper to understand this: Zoe COVID app, which keeps track of COVID symptoms through positive patients using the app, notified that most Omicron patients complain of diarrhea. Diarrhea, a common symptom for earlier variants, may turn up. But it's also crucial to remember that no two COVID-19 illnesses are the same; it's entirely possible that an infection triggered by BA.2.12.1 may lead to early upper respiratory symptoms that resemble a cold or reaction to allergies, or it may simply present any of the other known COVID-19 symptoms entirely (including fatigue alone!). Nearly 70% experienced a headache. However, protection against hospitalization and death have remained high, preventing millions of people from dying, WHO pointed out, Download the Mint app and read premium stories. A simple swab of the nose can tell you whether you have COVID-19 in about 15 minutes. In a White House press briefing, Dr. Walensky noted that people still need to be vigilant in staying up to date on COVID-19 vaccines and boosters. For those without symptoms, CDC guidance states they are considered contagious at least two days before their positive test. "Rapid diagnosis, early diagnosis, and treatment is the way to go," Dr. Rutherford said. Still, CDC data showed the most common symptoms so far are cough, fatigue, congestion and a runny nose. Oughton noted that he is seeing fewer people who experience a loss of taste or smell with Omicron as compared to previous variants, although it is still happening to some. The Washington State Department of Health reported on Jan. 26 that 60 percent of Omicron patients reported having a headache, making it one of the most-common symptoms of the variant. Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription toAARP The Magazine. Even now, for people who haven't gotten vaccinated, they can still benefit from vaccination.. Muscle pain. Why are more workers returning to the office in Asia and Europe than the U.S.? "This has to do with data from the CDC that really showed after seven days there's virtually no risk of transmission at this point," Arwady said. Omicron BA.5 May Increase the Risk of Outdoor TransmissionHere's How to Stay Safe. Aria Bendix and Hilary Brueck. Intelligence agencies have mixed opinions. A doctor and pharmacist say many treatments for common colds and flu will also be helpful for double-vaccinated adults who are recovering from COVID-19 at home. The CDC reports that people's most common complaints when infected with Omicron include cough, runny nose, congestion, and fatigue. Some people may experience nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Persistent pain or pressure in the chest. "[There are] adults who have had fevers of almost 40 degrees Centigrade [104 degrees Fahrenheit]," Dr. Rutherford told Health. A PCR test (short for polymerase chain reaction), administered at doctors offices or testing sites, can also confirm your suspicions. If you have the symptoms of an upper respiratory tract infection, "right now the chances that it's Omicron are very, very high," said Oughton. But if you have taken one at five and it's negative and you're feeling good, chances are very good that you're not going to have any more issues there," she said. Get a FREE subscription to AARP The Magazine. A sore throat and hoarse voice may also be more common among people infected with omicron, compared with delta, researchers in the U.K. discovered. Omicron has been circulating in the U.S. for just about a year now, and in that time, researchers have learned more about the variant, including the symptoms it can cause. How the Pandemic Will Be Different in 2022, Be sure to check the date on the box before you test yourself, Why COVID-19 Variants Have Greek Names, AARP Prescription Discounts provided by Optum Rx, Free Rx discount card for use at over 66,000 pharmacies nationwide, AARP Online Fitness powered by LIFT session, Customized workouts designed around your goals and schedule, SAVE MONEY WITH THESE LIMITED-TIME OFFERS. And what are some of the first signs of an infection? While vaccines reduced the impact of Omicron, they themselves were impacted: studies have shown that vaccine effectiveness against infection, disease, hospitalization and death waned (though at different rates) over time. You may not lose your sense of . Omicron Variants BQ.1 and BQ.1.1 Are Now Dominant in U.S. How Long Does Immunity From Omicron Last? Omicron has numerous mutations with potential to increase transmissibility, confer resistance to therapeutics, or partially escape infection- or vaccine-induced . Diarrhea was slightly more . The reformulated shots from Pfizer and Moderna are bivalent, which means they target both the original Covid strain and omicron's BA.5 and BA.4 subvariants. Seventy-four percent reported fatigue. "We just don't have any data on this [yet], essentially giving two vaccines in one shot but biologically, I just wouldn't expect the side effects, severity or the safety profile of the shots to be different from the current mRNA vaccines and boosters," Dr. Paul Offit, director of the Vaccine Education Center at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and member of an independent advisory group to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, tells CNBC Make It. It doesnt even make the list of the top five symptoms in the ongoing ZOE COVID Study, according to a Sept. 13 update. Omicron appears to be continuing the trend set by Delta. It's also important to remember that COVID-19 affects everyone differently. Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. Tweet. Omicron BA.2 was the dominant . You can also notify the operator that you believe you or someone you are caring for has COVID. We continue to see new variants, and their different lineages and sublineages, emerge & disappear as they compete against each other. Read our. Oughton is mindful many places across Canada may be experiencing cold weather, so open windows may be a limited solution. The experience of COVID diarrhea is very similar to how we feel sick from a regular stomach bug. The Omicron BA.4/BA.5-adapted bivalent vaccine is currently authorized as the third dose of the three-dose primary series for children in this age group. Rapid antigen tests may be just as hard to find. Sneezing. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says people who test positive for COVID-19 need . The Omicron variant is so transmissible and so widespread across Canadathat it's likely that you know someone who has it right now, or you have it yourself. Leading experts say you should take 3 upper respiratory symptoms seriously and test for COVID-19 sooner rather than later. Cough. A new subvariant of the Omicron strain of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that leads to a COVID-19 diagnosis, has overtaken earlier variations (including "stealth" Omicron) to likely become the most viral variant here in the United States. In the case of gastrointestinal illness, a doctor should be consulted, and a test should be administered immediately. Loss of appetite makes sense, too, if one of the main new symptoms is vomiting. "Masking is also important if you have something crucial on your schedule; a vacation, a graduation, or even a medical procedure where you need to be healthy for that important activity," Dr. Huang adds. Vaccination hesitancy and postacute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2: Is it time to reconsider? If you experience diarrhea with COVID-19, you are not alone. The evidence so far, according to Poehling, is anecdotal and not based on scientific research. It found five symptoms were the most common: These symptoms, also listed by the CDC, can make the omicron infection look like a common cold. sore throat. ", A Cleaning Expert Explains the Best Way to Clean Cloth Face Masks After You Wear Them Good Housekeeping, 35 Delicious Pantry Recipes That Use What's Already in Your Cabinets and Freezer Good Housekeeping, The Amish keep to themselves. A Division of NBC Universal. Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. You are now subscribed to our newsletters. How to prevent infection by the BA.2.12.1 subvariant: But unlike delta, many patients are not losing their taste or smell. Very sick patients often feel short of breath, says Dr. Lisa Salamon, an emergency physician with Scarborough Health Network in Toronto. Headache. AARP Membership $12 for your first year when you sign up for Automatic Renewal. Anyone exhibiting symptoms should get tested for COVID-19. "We have also crossed the grim milestone of 1 million American lives lost to COVID.". Nausea. What Are Symptoms of BA.4 and BA.5 Variants? Until more people have been sick with BA.4 and BA.5 longer, it will be hard to pinpoint the specifics of these symptoms, Dr. Rutherford said. This is why getting booster shots, as well as flu shots, masking, and getting tested remain important, he says. Like the other Omicron strains that have been dominant in the U.S. since December 2021, experts say BA.4 and BA.5 mainly cause cold-like symptoms and respiratory or breathing issues. And Will I Need It Again? This particular subvariant is the most infectious of the Omicron collection of viruses, as the third iteration of Omicron that first began increasing breakthrough COVID-19 cases late last fall. So, an increase in the number of children affected is expected. Gastrointestinal symptoms, such as nausea or diarrhea. Other people may have muscle aches, fever . Add some good to your morning and evening. Taking those steps will really help. Seek medical attention right away if the vaccine recipient has any of the following symptoms: difficulty breathing, swelling of the face and throat, a fast heartbeat, a bad rash all over . Roberts says the solution is to take any symptom seriously, even a mild symptom. And if you start sneezing or feeling feverish, take an at-home test. This may be the sniffles or a scratchy throat, some mild fatigue, fever, aches. Though more people were in the hospital in 2022, the number of deaths nationwide plateaued from April to September 2022, according to the CDC. Inability to wake or stay awake. Here's a full list of known, potential COVID-19 symptoms for any individual, according to the CDC: Cough. Salamon also noted it's important for people who are seriously ill withCOVID,or another medical condition,to seek care at the hospital without hesitation. Previously she was a reporter and editor for WTOP Radio in Washington, D.C. A recipient of a Gracie Award and a regional Edward R. Murrow Award, she also participated in a dementia fellowship with the National Press Foundation. Risk for severe illness stemming from this particular subvariant applies to those who have yet to be vaccinated against COVID-19, or those who have had an incomplete vaccination series as well as those who have yet to receive a recommended third booster vaccine. Less severe symptoms may also be causing the new strains to spread faster. stuffy nose. We do not know about the clinical severity of BA.4 and BA.5 in comparison to our other Omicron subvariants, CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said at a White House COVID-19 Response Team briefing, per CNN. The CDC says that its guidelines were updated to reflect growing evidence that suggests transmission of COVID-19 often occurs one to two days before the onset of symptoms and during the two to three days afterward. A stuffy nose was reported by 78%. pic.twitter.com/VDB1VghCFn, Rochelle Walensky, MD, MPH (@CDCDirector) April 27, 2022, Dr. Huang adds that hospitalizations have remained low and it may be because Americans simply aren't aware they're dealing with a bonafide SARS-CoV-2 infection. All Rights Reserved. "It is clear that the disproportionate share of infections are those that are weathered at home," she says. New . If you suspect Omicron infection, be sure to get tested as soon as possible. Monitoring variant proportions. Unlike previous versions, Omicron symptoms are mild in fully vaccinated people. You are now leaving AARP.org and going to a website that is not operated by AARP. Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and appetite loss have been reported in a number of patients across age groups. Babcock says Omicron hasnt been around long enough yet to have a good sense of whether it is different from earlier variants when it comes to the likelihood of lingering symptoms. Cold-like symptoms - including a runny nose, sore throat and persistent sneezing - became more common, along with a headache and cough, particularly in people who had been vaccinated. Some of the other symptoms experienced are "very similar to the other coronaviruses such as febrile illness and respiratory symptoms." "Patients can also have gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea, and loss of taste or loss of . But if you're gonna do it once do it in five and I feel good about that.". . We also need to keep in mind the true definition of mild, Hilary Babcock, MD, a professor of medicine who specializes in prevention of infection transmission at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, told Verywell. Headache. COVID-19 might cause nausea, vomiting or diarrhea either alone or with other COVID-19 symptoms. They also examined clinical trial data on earlier versions of bivalent boosters targeting omicron's BA.1 subvariant. Shutterstock. But for the most part, most symptoms Rutherford was aware of were respiratory. How Many Times Can You Get Reinfected With the Same COVID Variant? In many parts of Canada, it can be extremely difficult to get access to PCR testing to determine if you have COVID and that's if you meet the criteria. Severe side effects are "generally" most common after receiving a second dose of a vaccine, not after receiving a third or fourth dose, says Offit. Research also suggests that people who are infected with omicron aresick for shorter periods of timethan those with delta. The CDC recommends getting the flu shot before theend of October; adults 65 and older should ask forthe high-dose version. And theyre hiding a horrifying secret. Night sweats, another symptom cited by a doctor at a media briefing in South Africa early in the country's Omicron wave, has been touted by tabloids as "a telltale sign which only happens at night . Comments on this story are moderated according to our Submission Guidelines. So, he recommends masking at home, and opening windows to improve ventilation when you can, to help limit transmission. These symptoms, also listed by the CDC, can make the omicron infection look like a common cold. . You need to be cautiouseven though for most people who are vaccinated with a booster, they will likely experience only a mild disease," he said. According to the CDC, symptoms of Covid-19 include fever, shortness of breath, cough, loss of taste or . It is one of the most common symptoms of the disease. "COVID-19 can be transmitted through poo . ", Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. Gulick says that even for those who are vaccinated, a reinfection rate may be as high as 30%. Starting the medications right away can significantly reduce your risks for being hospitalized with COVID-19. . "Occasionally there can be nausea and diarrhea," Gulick said. Fake customer care numbers are thriving in India. The new shots have the same dosage amounts as the original vaccines, which further suggests that their safety profiles could be similar, Offit says. Fever or chills. The South African doctor who was the first to detect the COVID-19 omicron variant, Angelique Coetzee, described most of the symptoms as "extremely mild" when alerting people what to look out . Children tend to have more gastrointestinal symptoms, such as . If symptoms, like coughing, are bad, seek medical help.. This means people are at a higher risk of reinfection. In case you contract COVID, diarrhea can hit you on the first day of your infection and might increase in intensity during the first week of illness. The device monitors blood oxygen levels. "The most reported symptoms of Omicron are really very much like a cold, especially in people who have been vaccinated," says Dr. Claire Steves of King's College London.