Omicron Symptoms Explained: Health Tips and Safety Precautions

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, countries worldwide have faced various strains of the virus, each bringing unique challenges. The CDC reports that people infected with the Omicron variant can spread the virus to others, even if they are fully vaccinated or do not show any symptoms.

In November 2021, the World Health Organization identified a new variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and named it Omicron. WHO currently labels Omicron as a variant of concern because it spreads much faster than the Delta variant across many regions.

Initial studies suggest that Omicron may carry a lower risk of hospitalization compared to Delta. However, the WHO continues to urge caution. A faster spread means more people could end up in the hospital, putting pressure on healthcare systems. It is also important to keep in mind that all COVID-19 variants, including Delta, can lead to serious illness and even death.

Symptoms

Early evidence suggests that for most people, at least those who have taken their COVID-19 vaccines, Omicron appears to cause milder illness that can resemble the common cold, another form of the coronavirus.

Most Common Symptoms

• Fever
• Cough
• Tiredness
• Loss of taste and smell

Less Common Symptoms

• Sore throat
• Headache
• Aches and pains
• Diarrhoea
• A rash on the skin
• Discolouration of fingers or toes
• Red or irritated eyes

Serious Symptoms

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Loss of speech or mobility, confusion
• Chest pain

8 Symptoms in Fully Vaccinated People

• Headache
• Cough
• Runny nose
• Extreme fatigue
• Sore/scratchy throat
• Fever
• Muscle pain
• Joint pain

One peculiar symptom of the Omicron variant is excessive night sweats.

Is the Omicron Variant More Severe than the Delta Variant?

The Omicron variant of COVID-19 is highly transmissible compared to Delta. The viral load is much higher in Omicron, which means that someone infected with the Omicron variant is more infectious than someone infected with the Delta variant. Omicron is between two and four times more contagious than Delta.

How Lethal is Omicron Compared to the Delta Variant?

Omicron is less likely to infect the lungs, yet it is much more contagious than Delta, and it’s a great threat. Omicron is at least 1.5-2 times more transmissible than Delta, which has resulted in a very large number of infections around the world in a short span of time. It is also 2-3 times more capable than Delta of infecting those who have been fully vaccinated or who have had a previous infection.

What Precautions Should We Take to Protect Ourselves?

With the increase in the number of Omicron and Delta variant cases, being extra careful and taking precautions to protect ourselves from the virus are very important. It is extremely important to follow the protocol instilled by the government to avoid Omicron symptoms

The mandatory precautions that need to be followed are:

• Wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth. Ensure the N95 mask is sanitized before use to protect against the virus.
• Make sure that your hands are clean when you put on and remove your mask
• Keep a physical distance of at least 1 meter from others
• Avoid poorly ventilated rooms or areas
• Stay away from crowded spaces
• Open windows to improve ventilation indoors
• Wash your hands regularly
• Get double vaccinated
• Eat a healthy, balanced diet to improve your immunity

Following these protocols can have a positive impact on society, help reduce the number of cases, and avoid Omicron symptoms.

Role of Vaccines

The vaccines currently available are expected to protect people against severe illness, hospitalization, and death that occur due to infection with the Omicron variant. However, people who are fully vaccinated are likely to fall ill with the infection. With other variants, like Delta, vaccines have remained effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalizations, and death. The unvaccinated are at real risk, irrespective of the variant.

Symptoms in Children

It is equally important to take care of your children, as cases in India are rising. It is necessary to look after the children and strengthen their immunity. It can be increased with the help of some home remedies and a healthy diet. Before that, the common symptoms of Omicron that are found in children are:

• High fever
• A persistent cough
• Fatigue
• A persistent headache
• Sore throat

Now, in such situations, strengthening their immunity is crucial.

• Adding more vegetables to their diet is necessary to stay immune to the virus. Vegetables like carrots, sweet potatoes, and beans, among others, are very important in increasing immunity.
• Amla is an excellent immunity booster.
• Turmeric milk has the power to boost immunity and reduce throat infections.
• Citrus fruits are rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, and they help build an indestructible wall of immunity in the body.
• Ginger and garlic contain antibiotics, which help increase the amount of good bacteria in the body. They also boost immunity, which gives the body the strength to fight diseases.
• Tulsi extract boosts immunity and prevents infection from entering the body. It also gives instant relief to throat infections. Two to three drops of basil extract in lukewarm water given to the children twice or thrice daily builds immunity.

Ever since COVID-19 started spreading across the globe, we have been experiencing different variants and their consequences. However, we must take vaccines and precaution doses and follow all the necessary protocols to fight against it.

Frequently Asked Questions