Cases of the omicron variant of COVID-19 have been rising, now accounting for 73% of new infections final week, federal well being officers stated Monday.
Numbers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have proven practically a six-fold enhance in omicron’s share of infections in just one week.
While the CDC says it is nonetheless unknown how quickly omicron spreads as in comparison with the delta variant of the virus, it should probably unfold extra quickly than the authentic pressure of COVID-19.
It’s potential to get the omicron variant even in the event you’re vaccinated, however you’re much less more likely to expertise extreme sickness, hospitalization and dying, nevertheless, breakthrough infections are nonetheless more likely to happen, in response to the CDC.
To assist combat omicron, the CDC recommends everybody ages 5 and older be vaccinated, and everybody 18 and older to get a booster shot.
Mask carrying indoors or in areas of excessive group transmission are additionally advisable.
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First, how to pronounce ‘omicron’
Omicron, the fifteenth letter of the Greek alphabet, may be pronounced in a few methods, that are each appropriate.
Merriam-Webster says you may both say “AH-muh-krahn” or “OH-muh-krahn.”
The World Health Organization, which selected omicron as the subsequent variant identify, picked it over thirteenth and 14th Greek alphabet letters nu and xi, as a result of nu feels like “new” and xi feels like a widespread surname.
Symptoms of the omicron variant of COVID-19
The COVID-19 omicron variant.
There’s nonetheless not a lot of data on the distinction between symptoms of the omicron variant and different COVID-19 variants, if there are any, however the CDC just lately launched a briefing with the mostly reported symptoms.
They embrace:
Cough.
Fatigue.
Congestion.
Runny nostril.
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Symptoms of delta and different COVID-19 variants
Symptoms could seem two to 14 days after publicity to the virus. Anyone can have gentle to extreme symptoms.
Fever or chills.
Cough.
Shortness of breath or issue respiratory.
Fatigue.
Muscle or physique aches.
Headache.
New loss of style or scent.
Sore throat.
Congestion or runny nostril.
Nausea or vomiting.
Diarrhea.
Are the symptoms between delta and former variants any totally different? In quick, it isn’t utterly clear.
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What are the symptoms for a cold?
Like COVID-19, the symptoms are sometimes:
Coughing.
Sneezing.
Runny or stuffy nostril.
Sore throat.
Tiredness.
Sometimes a fever.
Symptoms often seem one to a few days after publicity to a cold-causing virus.
Unlike COVID-19, a cold is often innocent and cold-sufferers usually recuperate in three to 10 days.
Is it the flu?
The flu is totally different from a cold, and it could typically come on immediately, in response to the CDC. Symptoms can embrace:
Fever, or feeling feverish and chills. It is essential to not that not everybody with the flu may have a fever.
Cough.
Sore throat.
Runny or stuffy nostril.
Muscle or physique aches.
Headaches.
Fatigue.
Some folks could have vomiting and diarrhea, though its extra widespread in kids than adults.
Is it allergic reactions?
There are some key variations in symptoms. Currently, The Weather Channel’s allergy tracker for Cincinnati is listed as “none,” with no grass, tree and ragweed pollen counts.
Common allergy symptoms embrace:
Runny nostril.
Sneezing.
Red, swollen eyes.
Itchy eyes.
Itchy nostril.
Tickle in the throat.
Rarely a fever.
This article initially appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Omicron symptoms: How COVID-19 variant compares to flu or cold
