Omicron: Professor outlines symptoms of new covid variant
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Across the UK, Omicron cases are spreading at a rapid pace. On Wednesday evening, the UK hit a record 78,610 cases of coronavirus, with the chief executive of the UK Health Security Agency Jenny Harries warning numbers are to become “staggering” in the lead up to Christmas.
However, symptoms of the new strain of COVID-19 are reportedly slightly different to “traditional” symptoms.
Experts are also unsure of how good current vaccines are at warding off symptoms of the variant.
But do symptoms show up quicker than normal?
How soon do symptoms of coronavirus typically take to show up?
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO): “On average it takes five to six days from when someone is infected with the virus for symptoms to show, however it can take up to 14 days.”
People who have COVID-19 can infect others from around two days before symptoms start, and for up to 10 days after.
Gov.uk states: “They can pass the infection to others, even if they have mild symptoms or no symptoms at all, which is why they must stay at home.”
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Do symptoms of Omicron show faster?
Omicron symptoms can show up any time between three and 14 days of infection, which is not dissimilar to other cases of coronavirus.
Some reports state that symptoms of Omicron may be milder, particularly among those who already have antibodies either from previous infection or vaccination.
However, Reuters reports preliminary evidence indicates that COVID-19 vaccines may be less effective against infection and transmission linked to the Omicron coronavirus variant.
As with all cases of coronavirus, some people may not show any symptoms at all, increasing the risk of spreading the virus further.
How are symptoms of Omicron different to other forms of Covid?
Initial evidence coming out of South Africa, where the variant was first detected, has found that symptoms may be “mild” compared with other strains of the virus.
However, this may be due to specific circumstances in the country, which has recently endured a wave of Delta.
Scientists claim in South Africa, most people have either had COVID-19 or are vaccinated against it.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states: “More data are needed to know if Omicron infections, and especially reinfections and breakthrough infections in people who are fully vaccinated, cause more severe illness or death than infection with other variants.”
Traditional symptoms of coronavirus, according to the NHS, include “a high temperature, a new, continuous cough and a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste”.
With Omicron, however, there are five symptoms said to be “specific to omicron”.
According to GP Dr Gary Bartlett, patients are more likely to develop a strange scratchy feeling in their throat, he warned.
Persistent tiredness, muscle aches, and even night sweats may also be symptoms of the variant.
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