"We are starting to see a steady increase in cases," Dr. Amaal Tokars, acting director for the Illinois Department of Public Health, said during a COVID briefing Tuesday. None of us know. Fever or chills Cough Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing Fatigue Muscle or body aches Headache New loss of taste or smell Sore throat Congestion or runny nose Nausea or vomiting Diarrhea. Dr. Crum noted that most experts say its 30% to 60% more transmissible, so its a riskespecially if it gets into a nonimmune populationto be able to skyrocket in terms of the number of cases. What are the symptoms of Stealth Omicron? Empirical data has said that this spread faster than the Omicron variant, which in itself had a higher transmissibility than Covid-19. Our content is fact checked by our senior editorial staff to reflect accuracy and ensure our readers get Emilia Benton is a Houston-based freelance writer and editor. 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. This analysis found no clear difference in the symptom profile of Delta and Omicron, with only 50% of people experiencing the classic three symptoms of fever, cough, or loss of sense of smell or taste. That means vaccination, having COVID or both. a booster shot) than after the second dose, though effectiveness appeared to wane after four months, which may possibly later signal a need for another booster dose in the future. "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. See how the CCB recommends changes to the AMA Constitution and Bylaws and assists in reviewing the rules, regulations and procedures of AMA sections. "BA.2 has a number of mutations that BA.1 does not have that are in the region of genomes that concerns us," Jeremy Luban, MD, a professor of molecular medicine, biochemistry, and molecular pharmacology at University of Massachusetts Medical School, told Verywell Health. 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. Its more contagious, but not more severe. Fever or chills Cough Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing Fatigue Muscle or body aches Headache New loss of taste or smell Sore throat or hoarse voice Congestion or runny nose Nausea or vomiting Diarrhoea High temperature Continuous cough Back pain A loss of appetite Delerium Heartburn Bloating Sleep paralysis Skin rash Night sweats However, as the COVID-19 pandemic rapidly evolves and the scientific communitys understanding of the novel coronavirus develops, some of the information may have changed since it was last updated. Bestlifeonline.com is part of the Dotdash Meredith Publishing Family. The most common symptoms of the Omicron variant were cough, fatigue, congestion or runny nose, and fever. What do you need to know? 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.". This subvariant has a high number of mutations compared to Omicron. He brings comprehensive healthcare expertise ranging from medical group operations to revenue cycle management and clinical expertise. iPhone or The only way to protect ourselves is by getting vaccinated and following all the Covid norms with due diligence. They reported that the top five symptoms related to the variant were: Runny nose. Find possible causes of symptoms and get recommendations on what to do next. The content provided here and elsewhere on the Solv Health site or mobile app is provided for general informational purposes only. So, we really haven't seen this variant take off. If you've had a COVID infection, we still want people to get vaccinated to provide them with even more protection against the variants that circulate. 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? Between Delta, Omicron, and the original strains, its all made most of our heads spin. But BA.2 doesnt have the particular mutation on the spike protein that makes that particular target gene fail on a PCR test. } else { Limited time: You may be eligible for half-price dues. 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. Dr. Rohatsch served on the Yale School of Medicine faculty teaching at the medical school and is currently on faculty at the Haslam School of Business at the University of Tennessee teaching in the Executive MBA Program. 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. Due to its highly contagious nature, it has already spread to several countries and is believed to spike positive cases in the coming days. Arcturus or XBB.1.16 is a subvariant of Omicron. Dr. Russo doesnt anticipate that the recent Omicron wave of COVID-19 cases will be heightened much by BA.2. Called BA.2 by scientists, it has earned itself a more ominous (and more catchy) nickname: stealth omicron. Patients, help us protect our high-risk patients - please wear a mask if you have respiratory symptoms, a positive COVID-19 test, or COVID-19 exposure. While public health officials in the U.S. are keeping an eye on stealth Omicron, they arent sounding the alarm just yettheyre largely focused on the main Omicron strain and subsequent Omicron symptoms circulating in the U.S., aka BA.1. [emailprotected]. So even if you have stealth omicron variant symptoms, you might not necessarily test positive for the stealth omicron variant. For some people, coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms that clear up in a couple weeks. Fever or chills Cough Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing Fatigue Muscle or body aches Headache New loss of taste or smell Sore throat Congestion or runny nose Nausea or vomiting Diarrhea Patients can also have gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea, and loss of taste or loss of smell, although Ive 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. Always talk to your doctor for professional medical advice. Still, omicron presented a shift in common symptoms for many. 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. Thats because the BA.2 subvariant of Omicron is more transmissible.. The New COVID-19 Pills: How do they work and where can you get them? These 4 New COVID Symptoms Could Mean You Have Omicron, Doctors Warn, For more up-to-date information, sign up for our daily newsletter, This One Symptom Could Be Your First Sign of Omicron, Doctors Warn. As per researchers, the Stealth variant has about 20 mutations that differ from the original Omicron. The major variants are named according to the Greek alphabetAlpha, Beta, Delta and now Omicron.. Dr. But experts say Omicron is unlikely to present it this way and have highlighted some symptoms that you should never ignore. For others, it may cause no symptoms at all. Solv can help you schedule your COVID vaccines or visit a licensed provider near you. 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. According to a new report from officers at the World Health Organization, this new version of the Omicron variant officially known as BA.2, a further iteration of the same strain, called BA.1 differs from earlier mutations due to its cellular spike protein structure. told Fortune in May that symptoms of the new subvariants are similar to typical Omicron . "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. However, the "stealth" version, as it has been dubbed, does appear to be even more transmissible. Sore throat. I don't see this moving the dial significantly in terms of posing a new, huge problem.". Always contact your healthcare provider directly with any questions you may have regarding your health or specific medical advice. It may be coronavirus BA.2 and you really need to stay in and quarantine for public health reasons.. 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. You are now subscribed to our newsletters. But the reality is that traditional prevention strategies of masking and hand hygiene remain important for these groups., The best thing we could do is all be immune against coronavirus so that these variants could slowly fade away, Dr. Crum said. Scientists and health officials around the world are keeping their eyes on a descendant of the omicron variant that has been found in at least 40 countries, including the United States. Experts Explain, Your Favorite Fried Food Could Be Causing Anxiety. When the Omicron subvariant BA.2 was first reported, the media dubbed it a "stealth" variant because it was hard to detect and track. COVID vaccines for small children: Do kids under 5 need them? The top 5 symptoms in both periods were: runny nose. A sore throat is just one of many symptoms you might experience with Omicron. Itll be highlight transmissible to their family and friends and we should keep our guard up., We need to pay careful attention to see if rates will start to go up, and if so, we may need to go back to some of the mandates, Dr. Crum said. Explore how to write a medical CV, negotiate employment contracts and more. It may seem like the world will never return to the normal we once knew in the before times, and Dr. Naik says thats not that far off from the truth. The stealth Omicron variant has already made its way around several countries including Denmark, India, Sweden, and Singapore, according to Verywell Health. Not only that, but research is showing that this new variant is the most transmissible one to date, even more so than the original Omicron variant, and its accounting for a significant proportion of reported cases in the dozens of countries where its popping up. This time Every May is National Womens Health Month and for many its a time to resolve to make positive changes Children ages 5-11 are eligible to get the COVID-19 vaccine and a booster dose. Solv can help you book same-day appointments and urgent care visits with a provider near you. As Dr. Van Kerkhove, WHO epidemiologist, noted, XBB.1.16 replaced other existing variants in India. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. The deadly novel coronavirus mutated over time and and has created newer variants that fueled every wave of the pandemic. One of the biggest concerns among health experts when it comes to BA.2 is the wrench it could throw into a swift exit from the omicron wave. Therefore, various cases of Stealth Omicron lead to stomach issues instead of. If you've already fallen ill with COVID-19 recently and learned you were impacted by Omicron specifically, you may be wondering if "stealth" Omicron could cause you to become sick once more. It's very common to see young, previously healthy people that now can't go back to work or now are having all these issues, she added. According to a January 24, 2022, article in The Washington Post, some scientists gave BA.2 the nickname "stealth Omicron," with the claim that it has certain genetic traits that make it more. Its not like this variant has increased ability to evade vaccine-induced immunity, he says. FWIW, its a controversial nickname that not everyone is into. This makes tracking its spread more time-consuming. Thats why everyone coming in with any of those symptoms gets both a COVID test and an influenza test at the same time., If theres a question, you should test because its SARS-CoV-2 is a virus that we have treatment for and we know in this particular variant is very contagious, she said, emphasizing that it is important to know that its not just your allergies and you can go to your party tonight. According to the CDC, COVID cases had fallen 20 percent in the last two weeks, despite Omicron's dominance. Despite BA.2 being labeled a subvariant of Omicron, there are still significant differences in the genetic makeup of the variants. "So this is the same virus, so SARS Coronavirus 2, so we're seeing the same symptoms," he said. "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. The German-based GISAID Initiative indicates that BA.2 cases in the U.S. have remained at 100 cases in 20 different states as of this week, based on its public data. Heres what to do. There is no cause for concern with BA.2 as everything you do to handle BA.1 is applicable, Dr. Adalja says. daily newsletter, This One Symptom Could Be Your First Sign of Omicron, Doctors Warn. You are just one step away from creating your watchlist! She is also an 11-time marathoner, a USATF Level 1-certified running coach, and an avid traveler. RELATED: These 4 New COVID Symptoms Could Mean You Have Omicron, Doctors Warn. I verify that Im in the U.S. and agree to receive communication from the AMA or third parties on behalf of AMA. "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. "If you have fever, in particular, and if you're sweating a lot, you're losing a lot of fluid.". COVID Etiquette Tips: How to Plan Stress-free Springtime Gatherings. One of the common symptoms of Stealth Omicron - much like the original variant - is vertigo or dizziness. 5 Reasons You Are Feeling Tired All The Time Being de-hydrated - Enough water is the cure of more . RELATED: This One Symptom Could Be Your First Sign of Omicron, Doctors Warn. Even though COVID-19 is a respiratory disease, the symptoms of one of its variants called Stealth Omicron or BA.2 may appear in the gut. The NHS explained: "These may come and go throughout the day. 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. Having first been identified in December 2021, this variant has propelled infections (including breakthrough cases) in all corners of the world, up to 49 countries, including the United States. A new version of the omicron variant is starting to spread around the world. There's less incidence of people losing their sense of taste and smell. BA.2 may extend the Omicron wave a little longer, but I dont think it changes the overall trajectory of the pandemic, he says. Some of the other symptoms experienced are very similar to the other coronaviruses such as febrile illness and respiratory symptoms.. . What are the symptoms of the stealth Omicron Covid variant? 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. The BA.2 subvariant has been referred to as stealth Omicron because it contains genetic mutations that can make it harder to distinguish from the Delta variant using PCR tests compared to the original Omicron variant. } ); And Omicron's BA.2 subvariant might not be much different. For more up-to-date information, sign up for our 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. While it appears that BA.2 does not cause more severe disease, COVID could linger longer in our community due to this new Omicron strain.. Drive in style with preferred savings when you buy, lease or rent a car. While some are referring to this as medium COVID, there isnt a scientific name for it just yet. 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. Shutterstock. How to protect yourself. Those symptoms are . Always contact your healthcare provider directly with any questions you may have regarding your health or specific medical advice. However, there is no need to worry since symptoms have been mild, with no rise in hospitalizations or ICU admissions. 2023 Galvanized Media. "I would also predict that there would be significant protection with BA.2 if you had BA.1. The highly transmissible and contagious BA.2 Omicron subvariantdubbed stealth Omicronis now the dominant strain in the United States, causing more than 85% of all COVID-19 cases, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). As far as the contagiousness of the subvariant is concerned it can spread as easily as its parent variant. New research finds that the "stealth" Omicron subvariant, BA.2, has greater ability to evade immune protections and increased risk of reinfection. Each month, the Senior Physician Sectionhighlights membersand individualsto showcase their work and current efforts. Known officially as BA.2, the subtype has small variations. Researchers have been working to pinpoint common signs of the Omicron variant over the last few months. This has led to more questions. Additionally, adults who received a primary vaccine and booster dose of Johnson & Johnsons Janssen COVID-19 vaccine at least four months ago may now receive a second booster dose with an mRNA vaccine.