The Omicron variant can have symptoms similar to the common cold

 

The Omicron variant can have symptoms similar to the common cold

The Omicron variant of COVID-19 has been officially found in the United States; Nine cases have been reported across five states.

 The new variant of COVID-19 appears to be highly contagious; The CDC urges all Americans who are eligible to get the vaccination and booster now.

The Omicron variant of COVID-19 is spreading rapidly across the United States — and scientists are slowly learning more about the strain that the World Health Organization (WHO) described as a different kind of concern last month.

 (CDC) had learned from 43 cases of Omicron detected in the United States between December 1, when the first US case of COVID-19 was identified from Omicron, and on December 8.

(CDC) data found that 58% of cases were in people between 18 and 39. The first person infected with the Omicron variant developed symptoms on November 15, indicating that the variant has been in the country for longer than most people realize. Fourteen people with COVID-19 cases due to Omicron traveled internationally in the 14 days before they developed symptoms or were tested for the virus.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data revealed that Delta accounted for 99.9% of local infections with SARS-CoV-2 during the first week of December.

The World Health Organization declared that the "overall global risk" of Omicron is "extremely high." "Omicron is a highly variable variant with a large number of mutations...some of which are of concern and may be associated with a potential for immune escape and higher susceptibility to transmissibility."

Despite severe travel restrictions, the Omicron variant, first discovered in South Africa, has been found in more than half of the US states.

But why are experts so concerned about Omicron? How contagious is this strain? Are COVID-19 vaccines and boosters effective against it? According to doctors, here's everything you need to know about the Omicron variant.

What is the omicron variant?

it is a strain of COVID-19 that was first detected in South Africa last month. "In recent weeks, infections have increased sharply, coinciding with the 'disclosure of [Omicron],'" the agency wrote on November 26. Since then, its presence has appeared to be increasing—and as of last week, infections with Omicron have increased across the board. The provinces are roughly in South Africa. (There is no indication that the variant originated in South Africa; it was first discovered.)

Preliminary research indicates that the new variant, which contains several mutations in the spike protein, poses an increased risk of reinfection, notes the World Health Organization. "This variant was detected at faster rates than previous increases in infection. According to the Associated Press, Omicron has been discovered in South Africa, Hong Kong, the Netherlands, Canada, and Australia. CDC data shows that the variant is spreading rapidly in the United States, too.

If Omicron causes more severe diseases than other variants, including Delta, it is not clear. The WHO wrote: "Preliminary data indicate that there are increasing rates of hospitalization in South Africa, but this may be due to increased overall numbers of people becoming infected, rather than as a result of omicron-specific infection."

At the moment, we don't know much about Omicron, including its transmissibility compared to other forms of SARS-CoV-2 such as Delta, its effect on vaccines, and whether or not it causes more severe disease. Since it is still very new, more time and research are required before conclusions can be drawn.