What are some of the symptoms of the Omicron variant?

The most important thing to do is take a test to confirm any suspicions of COVID. Even a mild cold has some of the key symptoms of the virus.

With Omicron being more infectious than Delta, it is also good to move quickly in figuring out if you have it or not.

Explaining the continuing power of the virus in a recent World Health Organisation (WHO) press conference, Dr Abdi Mahamud said: “So, while everyone was saying Omicron is milder, I think we missed the point that half a million people have died since this was detected.”*

Omicron variant continues to dominate global public health

While vaccination roll-outs across some regions continue successfully, other countries face the likelihood of a fifth wave – with less than 50% of the population fully vaccinated. They are dealing with vaccine hesitancy, infrastructural issues, and existing public health issues.

Most importantly, they are not legally allowed the recipe for existing vaccines – despite having empty factories waiting to make them. The legal fight to let countries make their own vaccines continues on, but is far from done.

In an open letter, the Movement of International Students 4 Trips Waiver said: “Lessons from the AIDS/HIV crisis have not been learnt.”

OPEN LETTER addressed to the EU, UK, Norway and Switzerland to stop blocking the TRIPSWaiver proposal in @wto pic.twitter.com/Cu1qithuCe

— Movement of International Students 4 TRIPS Waiver (@Students4Waiver) February 16, 2022

A technology transfer scheme attempts to work around a loophole in the complexities of international law, but will only produce usable vaccines for hard-hit regions in 2024.

In countries like Ukraine, facing Russian violence, access to medical oxygen supplies is another huge issue. Without access to oxygen, individuals hospitalised with severe COVID will have no treatment.

In other places, COVID restrictions have been relaxed entirely. In the UK, people who test positive for the virus are legally allowed to mix with the rest of the population. Masks are no longer required either. The UK has one of the highest death rates in the world, comparative to population size.

With news cycles changing to prioritise issues like rising fuel prices and unimaginable violence, it can seem as if the virus is defeated.

Sadly, that isn’t true.

The virus continues to be an active threat, for billions of people.

A statement by the WHO on Monday (7 March) said: “As we enter the third year of the pandemic, SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, is spreading between people at an intense level globally.

“There are many factors that are driving transmission. One of these is the emergence of highly transmissible variants of concern, the latest being Omicron. The virus continues to evolve and the risk of future emergence of variants is high.”

The five key Omicron symptoms

According to the ZOE study – conducted across Omicron and Delta waves for comparison – there are five key symptoms of the Omicron variant.

1. Runny nose (especially in combination with loss of smell)

A runny nose is a universal sign of cold, flu and now COVID-19. The team at ZOE, a study that tracks symptoms in the virus, say that a runny nose should be approached with caution – especially in wintertime.

They found that nearly 60% of people who tested positive with loss of smell, also had the symptom of a runny nose.

2. Headache

This is described by researchers as one of the earliest signs of the disease – even more common than cough, fever and loss of smell. However, headaches can be symptoms of many things.

Luckily, scientists have already established what a COVID headache looks like.

The pain level should be moderate to severe, the sensation should be pulsing, pressing or stabbing. The location of the headache should be across both sides of the head, not in one area. It should last for more than three days and be resistant to normal, at-home painkillers.

3. Mild or severe fatigue

Fatigue is a key Long COVID syndrome, but also exists as a classic Omicron symptom.

Fatigue, linked to brain fog, is also more common than the trio of cough-fever-loss-of-smell. This level of tiredness goes beyond what a good night’s sleep can fix. It is a tiredness that can cause a decrease in cognitive power, whether it is memory or focus.

Sadly, 80% of Long COVID sufferers have to live with brain fog.

4. Sneezing (if vaccinated)

Sneezing in the winter or summer could be connected to flu, cold, or allergies. Normally, it isn’t even considered that strong of a COVID symptom.

Sneezing is an Omicron symptom only in people who have been vaccinated atleast twice. The reason for why is currently unknown.

5. A sore throat for five days

COVID, as a respiratory disease, targets the throat and lungs especially. A sore throat is an early sign of the virus, so can be a good way to begin isolating and testing. This Omicron symptom is also common across all age-groups, with the throat infection being relatively mild.

However, a more painful sore throat lasting longer than five days may be more than an Omicron symptom. This could be a bacterial infection, which requires immediate medical intervention.

*figures accurate as of 8 February. 

Influenza (Flu) and COVID-19 are both contagious respiratory illnesses, but they are caused by different viruses. COVID-19 is caused by infection with a coronavirus first identified in 2019, and flu is caused by infection with influenza viruses.

Important update: Healthcare facilities

CDC has updated select ways to operate healthcare systems effectively in response to COVID-19 vaccination. Learn more

Omicron Variant: What You Need to Know

CDC is reviewing this page to align with updated guidance.

CDC is working with state and local public health officials to monitor the spread of the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Omicron continues to be the dominant variant in the United States.

What We Know about Omicron

CDC has been collaborating with global public health and industry partners to learn about Omicron, as we continue to monitor its course. We continue to evaluate how easily it spreads, the severity of illness it causes, and how well available vaccines and medications work against it.

Spread

The Omicron variant, like other SARS-CoV-2 variants, is comprised of a number of lineages and sublineages. The three most common lineages of Omicron currently are BA.2, BA.4, and BA.5.

The Omicron variant spreads more easily than earlier variants of the virus that cause COVID-19, including the Delta variant. CDC expects that anyone with Omicron infection, regardless of vaccination status or whether or not they have symptoms, can spread the virus to others. Data suggests that Omicron can reinfect individuals, even if they have recently recovered from COVID-19.

Symptoms

Persons infected with the Omicron variant can present with symptoms similar to previous variants. The presence and severity of symptoms can be affected by COVID-19 vaccination status, the presence of other health conditions, age, and history of prior infection. You should get tested immediately if you have COVID-19 symptoms, even if you are fully up to date on your vaccines or have recently recovered from COVID-19.

Severe Illness

Omicron infection generally causes less severe disease than infection with prior variants. Data suggest that Omicron may cause more mild disease, although some people may still have severe disease, need hospitalization, and could die from the infection with this variant. Even if only a small percentage of people with Omicron infection need hospitalization, a large volume of cases in a community could stress and potentially overwhelm a healthcare system which is why it’s important to take steps to protect yourself.

Vaccines

COVID-19 vaccines remain the best public health measure to protect people from COVID-19. This includes primary series, booster shots, and additional doses for those who need them.

Current vaccines protect against severe illness, hospitalizations, and deaths due to infection with the Omicron variant. However, breakthrough infections in people who are vaccinated occur. People who are up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines and get COVID-19 are less likely to develop serious illness than those who are not up to date on their vaccines and get COVID-19.

Treatments

Scientist are working to determine how well existing antibody treatments fight COVID-19. Some monoclonal antibody treatments are less effective against certain lineages. Other non-monoclonal antibody treatments remain effective against Omicron. Public health agencies work with healthcare providers to ensure that effective treatments are used appropriately to treat patients.

We have the Tools to Fight Omicron

Vaccines

• CDC recommends COVID-19 primary series vaccines for everyone ages 6 months and older, and COVID-19 boosters for everyone ages 5 years and older, if eligible.

To find COVID-19 vaccine locations near you: Search vaccines.gov, text your ZIP code to 438829, or call 1-800-232-0233.

Masks

Well-fitting masks offer protection against all variants.

• In general, people do not need to wear masks when outdoors.
• If you are sick and need to be around others, or are caring for someone who has COVID-19, wear a mask.
• If the COVID-19 Community Level where you live is
  • Low
    • Wear a mask based on your personal preference, informed by your personal level of risk.
  • Medium
    • If you are at risk for severe illness, talk to your healthcare provider about wearing masks indoors in public.
    • If you live with or will gather with someone at risk for severe illness, wear a mask when indoors with them.
  • High
    • If you are 2 or older, wear a well-fitting mask indoors in public, regardless of vaccination status or individual risk (including in K-12 schools and other community settings).
• If you are at risk for severe illness, wear a mask or respirator that provides you with greater protection.

Testing

Tests can tell you if you have COVID-19. Learn how to get tested.

• Two types of tests are used to test for current infection: nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) and antigen tests. NAATs, such as PCR-based tests, are usually performed in a laboratory and antigen tests are usually performed at a point-of-care facility or at home. Both types of tests can tell you if you have a current infection.
• Self-tests can be used at home or anywhere, are easy to use, and produce rapid results.
  • If your self-test has a positive result, isolate and talk to your healthcare provider.
  • If you have any questions about your self-test result, call your healthcare provider or public health department.

Individuals can use CDC’s COVID-19 Viral Testing Tool to help determine what kind of test to seek.

Your test result will only tell you if you do or do not have COVID-19. It will not tell you which variant caused your infection. Visit your state, tribal, local, or territorial health department’s website for the latest local information on testing.

It is important to use all tools available to protect yourself and others.

What CDC is Doing to Learn about Omicron

Virus Characteristics

CDC scientists are working with partners to analyze data and virus samples that may answer important questions about the Omicron variant. CDC will provide updates as new information becomes available.

Variant Surveillance

In the United States, CDC uses viral genomic surveillance to quickly identify and track SARS-CoV-2 variants, and act upon these findings to best protect the public’s health. CDC has established multiple ways to connect and share viral genomic sequence data being produced by CDC, public health laboratories, and commercial diagnostic laboratories within publicly accessible databases maintained by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) and the Global Initiative on Sharing Avian Influenza Data (GISAID). Findings from CDC’s variant surveillance are updated on CDC’s COVID Data Tracker weekly.

Science Brief: Omicron Lineage Variant(s) (i.e., Pango lineages B.1.1.529, BA.1, BA.1.1, BA.2, BA.3, BA.4, BA.5)

On November 24, 2021, South Africa reported the identification of a new COVID-19 variant, B.1.1.529, to the World Health Organization (WHO). B.1.1.529 was first detected in specimens collected on November 11, 2021 in Botswana and on November 14, 2021 in South Africa.

CDC has been using viral genomic surveillance throughout the course of the pandemic to track COVID-19 variants, and inform public health practice.

• November 24, 2021: A new variant of COVID-19, B.1.1.529, was reported to the World Health Organization (WHO). This new variant was first detected in specimens collected on November 11, 2021 in Botswana and on November 14, 2021 in South Africa.
• November 26, 2021: WHO named the B.1.1.529 Omicron and classified it as a Variant of Concern (VOC).
• November 30, 2021: The United States designated Omicron as a Variant of Concern.
• December 1, 2021: The first confirmed U.S. case of Omicron was identified.
• December 21, 2021: BA.2 was first identified in the United States from a sample collected on December 14, 2021, in New Jersey.