Considering Omicron moves
differently from the other COVID variants, one of the worrying factors is that
the patients infected with it show varied symptoms distinct from each other.
Though many patients complain of mild cold-like symptoms, several others are
experiencing more severe signs. The World Health Organization (WHO) and studies
conducted by other organizations explain symptoms and their reasons. Read here
to know more:
What are the different Omicron symptoms?
WHO's top infectious disease expert, Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove, has
said that people infected with Omicron can have a range of symptoms. They can
also have no symptoms at all and be completely asymptomatic. Some even can
develop severe diseases, and people are also dying from Omicron.
"On average, we know that there is lesser risk of needing
hospitalization if you are infected with Omicron compared to Delta, but that
does not mean that it is a mild disease," he added during a Live Q&A
session on COVID-19 and Omicron sub-variant BA.2 with Dr. Abdi Mahamud on 8
February 2022.
During another discussion on the effects of Omicron and why it
should not be taken lightly, Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove said the more concerning
thing with the Omicron-led wave has been that deaths are increasing for 5th
week in a row. "Half a people, that we know of, have died (due to
Covid," he said, adding that deaths must be more than that cause the
global health bodies don't have adequate reporting systems around the world.
Most reported symptoms: Most Omicron patients report cold-like
symptoms such as a sore throat, severe body pain, fatigue, severe headache, a
study by UK-based tracker Zoe COVID app.
The ZOE COVID Study app is a not-for-profit initiative launched at
the end of March 2020 to support vital COVID-19 research. The app was launched
by health science company ZOE with scientific analysis provided by King's
College London.
"It's not necessarily true to say the symptoms caused by
Omicron are more mild than with previous variants. The majority of the UK
population is now double or triple vaccinated, as are most of the contributors
to the ZOE app, which has a strongly protective effect against severe illness
and hospitalization," said the company.
New symptoms reported in Omicron patients: Many people also
complain of gastrointestinal symptoms like diarrhea, skipped meals, and
abdominal pain.
A most unusual trait of Omicron: Strangely, there are fewer cases
where the infected individuals suffer from three classic symptoms of COVID -
cough, fever, and loss of smell.
Experts say it has become more challenging to diagnose the disease
due to this wide range of symptoms.
Why are people reporting different kinds of symptoms?
It's not necessarily true to say the symptoms caused by Omicron
are milder than with previous variants, the Zoe study showed. But the symptoms
vary from person to person, depending on their vaccination status, immunity,
and a few other things.
What WHO said:
The WHO official also confirmed a very significant difference in
individuals who are vaccinated with one dose, two doses, and some people have
had three doses. "There is a significant reduction of hospitalizations and
deaths among those who are vaccinated."
"This is from Omicron, from other Variants of Concern, and I think that's one of the biggest factors that is critical that people hear out there," Van Kerkhove said, adding, so when it's your turn, get vaccinated and boosted.