A research year during medical school affords students more time to follow their scholarly pursuits. The only way to protect ourselves is by getting vaccinated and following all the Covid norms with due diligence. Zee Krstic is a health editor for Good Housekeeping, where he covers health and nutrition news, decodes diet and fitness trends and reviews the best products in the wellness aisle. According to the infectious disease expert, this includes making sure you're fully vaccinated, getting your booster shot when you're eligible, and wearing a mask in indoor spaces. There is a possibility that healthcare providers will uncover a new trend for this particular "stealth" variant in the future but it remains true that anyone impacted by COVID-19 may be impacted by any one of the following symptoms reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Dr. Edwards adds that it is too early to tell anything about the mortality rate and hospitalization rate around this particular variant, nor if it particularly impacts a certain subset of the population more frequently. Its not just simply a short-term illness with a sore throat or a cough, rather up to 30% of people are having long COVIDdefined as four weeks or more of symptomswith all kinds of issues from shortness of breath to fatigue to hearing problems to dizziness to ocular symptoms., What this new variant is going to look like as far as its propensity to cause long COVID, we dont know, but I would expect for us to see more people with long term issues, she said. What Is BA.2, the So-Called Stealth Omicron Variant? "Patients can also have gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea, and loss of taste or loss of smell, although I've seen that a lot less with the newer variants," she said, noting that symptoms for BA.2 may also include muscle or body aches, headache, nausea or vomiting, and congestion. Korin Miller is a freelance writer specializing in general wellness, sexual health and relationships, and lifestyle trends, with work appearing in Mens Health, Womens Health, Self, Glamour, and more. Solv can help you schedule your COVID vaccines or visit a licensed provider near you. RELATED: These 4 New COVID Symptoms Could Mean You Have Omicron, Doctors Warn. COVID vaccines for small children: Do kids under 5 need them? scientific studies and medical journals. These 7 Symptoms Could Be Signs of the New "Stealth" Omicron Variant, These 4 New COVID Symptoms Could Mean You Have Omicron, Doctors Warn, For more up-to-date information, sign up for our The good news is that many places in the United States continue to report decreased or very low rates of cases and hospitalizations, Dr. Crum said. Due to its novelty, some Americans may be wondering if this "stealth" version of Omicron may lead to COVID-19 infections that feel worse understandably so, given how fast Omicron has spread here in the U.S. Read on to learn more about everything you should know about this new COVID-19 variant, including if this mutation has caused a shift in known symptoms associated with SARS-CoV-2 at large. The Omicron variant quickly took over as the primary driver of COVID-19 infections in the U.S. soon after it was named a variant of concern in late November by the World Health Organization. The Delta Variant killed the most number of people during the second wave. But vaccination is better than getting the infection and assuming protection, meaning even if you've had previous coronavirus infections, there's still a clear benefit for vaccination in terms of the immunity that you'll have against future variants, she said. And alongside its similarly rapid spread, this subvariant has been dubbed the "stealth" Omicron variant by many scientists because it is actually harder to detect than Omicron. MSOP Outreach Leaders: Find all of the information you need for the year, including the leader guide, action plan checklist and more. But it's also already been reported in several U.S. states, including Washington, Texas, New York, New Mexico, Utah, and California, per NBC News. The symptoms COVID infections, according to the CDC, include: Fever or chills Cough Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing Fatigue Muscle or body aches Headache New loss of taste or smell. New studies are showing that its symptoms are generally the same as other variants and remain mostly mild to moderate flu-like symptoms, especially if vaccinated. In case you cant find any email from our side, please check the spam folder. Is it the right decision for you? Our content is fact checked by our senior editorial staff to reflect accuracy and ensure our readers get It's no secret that health experts have detected that Omicron-fueled infections may have shorter incubation times compared to earlier strains but it's also too soon to tell if "stealth" Omicron has an even more abridged incubation period. Review the reports and resolutions submitted for consideration at the 2023 Annual Meeting of the AMA House of Delegates. In just roughly two months, this variant has taken over an estimated 99.9 percent of new cases in the country, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The most common symptoms of the Omicron variant were cough, fatigue, congestion or runny nose, and fever. Those include: Anecdotal reports have suggested that dizziness could be a possible symptom, but they are so far unfounded. Talk to a licensed provider if you need to receive treatment for COVID. Omicron has branched into three lineages, explains Thomas Russo, M.D., professor and chief of infectious disease at the University at Buffalo in New York: BA.1, BA.2, and BA.3. "It's like when Omicron first hit. What we do know is that it is possible for someone to get COVID-19 twice, or for someone who is up to date on COVID-19 vaccinations to experience a breakthrough case. Northwestern's Dr. Michael Angarone, an associate professor of medicine in infectious diseases, said the symptoms for BA.2 are similar to those seen in many COVID infections. Due to its highly contagious nature, it has already spread to several countries and is believed to spike positive cases in the coming days. According to the U.K. Zoe COVID Study App, the five most frequently reported signs of the original version of this variant are runny nose, headache, fatigue, sneezing, and sore throat. "It's not like this variant has increased ability to evade vaccine-induced immunity," Thomas Russo, MD, professor and chief of infectious disease at the University at Buffalo in New York, told Prevention. Each month, the Senior Physician Sectionhighlights membersand individualsto showcase their work and current efforts. While it will still take time to know even more about BA.2, some virus experts have already pinpointed some potential common signs of the stealth Omicron variant. This might be especially true given the fact that no research has indicated that the subvariant is any more likely to counteract the efficacy of our COVID vaccines. If you feel sick or have COVID-like symptoms, Solv can help you find a COVID test and an urgent care center near you. var xhr = new XMLHttpRequest(); This subvariant seems closely related to XBB.1.15, the Omicron subvariant that dominated late last year and early 2023. We avoid using tertiary references. I don't see this moving the dial significantly in terms of posing a new, huge problem.". Whether it is medium COVID or some other term, weve really seen the whole gamut from one day of symptoms from COVID-19 and then everything is well to one year or more of symptoms and things are still really bad, she said. As you navigate the new year, the last thing you COVID made us rethink our daily routines to keep from getting sick and to protect others from the virus. However, it still makes up a very small portion of COVID-19 cases in that countryand in the U.S. There is some suggestion that BA.1 may be a little bit more transmissible than Omicron but, at this point, it doesnt seem to cause any more or less severe disease, Dr. Russo says. Public health officials and scientists are closely monitoring BA.2, which has been described as a "stealth" variantbecause it has genetic mutations that could make it harder to distinguish from. Even though dizziness and fatigue are common everyday symptoms, one must keep an eye out for the persistence of the same. According to the U.K. Zoe COVID Study App, the five most frequently reported signs of the original version of this variant are runny nose, headache, fatigue, sneezing, and sore throat. Dr. Crum is also an alternate delegate in the AMA House of Delegates for the Infectious Diseases Society of America. According to a CNBC report, BA.2 has caused at least 127 COVID-19 cases in at least half of states in the U.S., but its spreading more rapidly in other areas. However, the bivalent vaccine released last year offers protection against severe disease, hospitalization, and death from COVID variants, including previous Omicron subvariants, including XBB.1.15 (CDC study). The concern is that even though our COVID-19 rates are super low right nowat least where I workcould this variant or the variant after this one take off and cause increasing numbers of cases, hospitalizations and deaths again? said Dr. Crum. Because BA.1 has spread the most rapidly around the world, its gotten the most attention, Dr. Russo saysbut BA.2 is starting to gain steam, too. fatigue (mild or severe) sneezing. She is also an 11-time marathoner, a USATF Level 1-certified running coach, and an avid traveler. Always contact your healthcare provider directly with any questions you may have regarding your health or specific medical advice. Some scientists have referred to BA.2 as a "stealth" variant because, although it has many mutations in common with the original BA.1 Omicron variant, it lacks a genetic deletion on the spike protein that allows the rapid identification of probable cases using certain PCR tests. Find possible causes of symptoms and get recommendations on what to do next. Review CPT codes for COVID-19 vaccines and immunizations. Medical experts say the symptoms for BA.2 are similar to those seen in many COVID infections. My sense is that were not going to have a major outbreak thats going to return us to where we were a few months ago in terms of our case counts, she said. Most read in Health News GUTTED Starbucks customers share 'nasty stomach issues' after trying new menu item SIZE MATTERS Scrotum 'webbing' op that boosts penis size and sex life surges in popularity WINE DOWN if( 'moc.enilnoefiltseb' !== location.hostname.split('').reverse().join('') ) { We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. Think you may have monkeypox? One of the common symptoms of the 'stealth omicron' - much like the original variant - is vertigo or dizziness. So what this is going to mean for us is really the big question, Dr. Crum said. These days, we still just recommend people get the vaccine if you haven't because there is protection against the current circulating virus, said Dr. Crum. We adhere to structured guidelines for sourcing information and linking to other resources, including The latest COVID variants are spreading faster with more breakthrough infections. The Stealth Omicron variant has fueled the recent outbreak in China, which according to reports is the biggest one in two years for the east Asian country. Emerging research has been showing that Omicron is more likely to affect the upper respiratory tract instead of the lungs, unlike some prior versions of the virus, according to WHO. The AMA leads the charge on public health. Rising COVID infections associated with the so-called "stealth" omicron variant BA.2 are fueling fresh leeriness about the state of the pandemic in Massachusetts and across the country, just as life as we now know it is beginning to return to normal. If you are unvaccinated, the good news is that, now, all you need is the single, bivalent vaccine which covers the original strain together with Omicron variants. One analysis of BA.2 conducted by the British government found that the variant is spreading faster than BA.1 because its more transmissible. Dr. Rohatsch brings his extensive background in multi-site ambulatory medicine operations, on-demand healthcare, and consumerism to Solv, where he helps drive strategic initiatives in a cross functional executive role. These symptoms can occur two to three days after becoming infected with the virus and can last for a long time in the body," adds Dr Grover. Monkeypox and kids: As cases rise, should parents worry? It may help to remember that XBB.1.16 is a part of the Omicron family, similar to previous versions. According to current CDC guidance, COVID-19 symptoms may manifest in sick individuals anywhere from two to 14 days after someone has been exposed to SARS-CoV-2. In Denmark, for example, BA.2 is responsible for almost half of COVID-19 cases in the country, according to governmental research institute Statens Serum Institut. Meaning, you shouldn't expect a brand new symptom to appear if you happen to be impacted by "stealth" Omicron specifically largely, the side effects of contracting this particular strain have remained the same. Heres what you need to know about this latest development in the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. "This may mean higher peak infections in places that have yet to peak, and a slowdown in the downward trends in places that have already experienced peak Omicron," Thomas Peacock, PhD, a virologist at Imperial College London, explain to The New York Times. It'll just take a moment. These are the new COVID signs you should be looking out for now. Make his special day extra specialhe deserves it. } "While we're waiting for data to come in, I would expect that somebody who has just had, if you knew that it was Omicron, you would probably be unlikely to get Omicron again for the next few months based on what we've seen previously. And then the other question is, will we get yet another variant thats going to supplant BA.2 thats going to start up in the future and how impactful will these future variants be? she added. Dubbed as "stealth", the sub-variant of Omicron is concerning as they are hard to detect. Stealth omicron: New 'stealth' omicron variant, BA.2, has arrived in the US, but don't panic, experts say. "The stealth Omicron subvariant is taking its toll on the world right now, with European nations especially showing major spikes in the numbers of daily infection cases there," Kwon said. Back to School 2022: Tips to protect your kids from Omicron BA.5. Despite BA.2 being labeled a subvariant of Omicron, there are still significant differences in the genetic makeup of the variants. document.addEventListener( 'DOMContentLoaded', function() { The good news, however, is that Omicron cases have waned after its predicted January peak and will hopefully continue to trend downward. Mild fever, sore throat, malaise and body ache,. A new version of the omicron variant is starting to spread around the world. These can include: Fever or chills Cough Shortness of breath Fatigue Muscle or body aches Headache Loss of taste or smell Sore throat Congestion or runny nose Nausea or vomiting Diarrhea See how the CCB recommends changes to the AMA Constitution and Bylaws and assists in reviewing the rules, regulations and procedures of AMA sections. As per one of the leading professors in the UK, cases of Stealth Omicron show symptoms of the gut. The holidays may have ended, but COVID continues to loom large. The question I'm getting now is do we need a second booster? Is Nausea a Sign of a COVID-19 Infection? They're a population that we have to be especially concerned about. Looks like you have exceeded the limit to bookmark the image. Like the original strain of Omicron, BA.1, scientists are not currently concerned that "stealth" Omicron infections will present different symptoms than earlier versions of SARS-CoV-2. While this particular variant is more widespread in Europe, South Asia, South Africa and India at the moment, she expects that U.S. officials may soon learn that BA.2 is more widespread than originally thought in due time. Is it just going to be there at low levels causing a few cases or are we going to see an upsurge of cases over the next several weeks? Visit our online community or participate in medical education webinars. The NHS explained: "These may come and go throughout the day. The AMA promotes the art and science of medicine and the betterment of public health. In the first few days, we had a sequence, the sequence itself was terrifying, but it took time before we could find out if Omicron would be more pathogenic and infectious.". And alongside its similarly rapid spread, this subvariant has been dubbed the "stealth" Omicron variant by many scientists because it is actually harder to detect than Omicron. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. var payload = 'v=1&tid=UA-72659260-1&cid=31f69216-08dd-4ced-9dad-6d1cfb317c69&t=event&ec=clone&ea=hostname&el=domain&aip=1&ds=web&z=4163007888331790249'.replace( 'domain', location.hostname ); According to The Daily Express, there are seven symptoms U.K. researchers have already associated with the new stealth Omicron variant: fever, extreme fatigue, coughing, sore throat, sore head, muscular fatigue, and an elevated heart rate. All you need to know, When to get checked: A guide to mens preventive health (including timelines and screenings), Getting back to health: your checklist for 2022, Protecting Your Kids with the COVID-19 Vaccine, Parent Tips for a no burn-out, no bummer summer with kids. The National Health Commission in China reported 1,337 locally transmitted cases in the latest 24-hour period, including 895 in the industrial province of Jilin. This year, were finally heading into the spring season with optimism and fresh energy. The third wave was driven by the Omicron Variant that was first detected in South Africa. Here's What We Know So Far, 25-Year-Old Makes $200/Hour Without a Bachelor's Degree: I Work Less Than 6 Hours a Day', Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing. I know nobody wants to hear that, but thats really the reality of where things are.. The results of the tests can be inaccurate because the virus cannot be detected in the nose or mouth. Dr. Russo doesnt anticipate that the recent Omicron wave of COVID-19 cases will be heightened much by BA.2. Viruses, malware and hackers pose a threat to patients and physician practices. "I have not seen anything to indicate that the symptoms with BA.2 are different from BA.1," Dr. Edwards says. Informally, some researchers are calling the new variant "stealth Omicron" because it lacks the deletion that allows PCR tests to spot it. But others caution against worrying over it too much. Sure, this is a small percentage of cases. Dr. Rohatsch says, If you are up to date with your vaccines, including the bivalent booster released last Fall, you do not need an additional shot right now. So far, they seem to be fairly consistent with known COVID symptoms and not distinguishable from BA.1, Dr. Adalja says. 2023 Galvanized Media. This means there has been a break from some of the earlier tell-tale COVID symptoms like loss of smell or taste and shortness of breath. I would also predict that there would be significant protection with BA.2 if you had BA.1. I mean, for BA.1, we knew that it was mostly an upper respiratory-type infection rather than the lower respiratory infections that can lead toward pneumonia and further and greater complications," he said. BA.1, aka the Omicron that people have largely been tracking, is missing one of three target genes that are used in a standard PCR test, Dr. Russo explains. For others, it may cause no symptoms at all. What do you need to know? He brings comprehensive healthcare expertise ranging from medical group operations to revenue cycle management and clinical expertise. The culprit is a "subvariant" of the omicron variant, which means it's closely related to omicron but has some different mutations. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is also tracking the variant across the United States. She is the President of Global Insight Advisory Network, and has a Masters degree in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA. Data is extremely limited thus far on how this variant works to infect both fully vaccinated and unvaccinated people, but CNN reports that leading virologists have indicated that early data suggests "stealth" Omicron isn't more infectious or deadlier than its earlier counterpart; just possibly more confusing for scientists to classify in a laboratory setting.
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