How Is The Omicron Variant Different From The Other Covid-19 Variants?

As per the World Health Organization, the new Covid-19 virus variant ‘Omicron’ is called a variant of concern. This is because it has a high transmission rate and may cause severe illness. It also decreases the effectiveness of Covid-19 vaccines and medications. Read on to find out more about this variant and how to protect yourself against it.

What you should know:

• How severe is this virus?
• What is the risk of reinfection?
• How to diagnose an Omicron infection?
• Can current medications be effective against Omicron?
• How effective are current Covid-19 vaccines against the Omicron variant?

How severe is this virus?

According to the current medical data, it has not been very much clear whether the infection with the Omicron variant can be highly severe than the other variants, including the Delta variant. However, as per the records, symptoms found in the majority of the patients are mild.

According to the World Health Organization, practising physicians in South Africa mentioned that symptoms of this new variant of the Covid-19 virus ‘Omicron’ are extremely mild compared to the other variants, which are as follows:

• Headache
• Extreme fatigue or lethargy feeling
• Body and joint pain
• Itchy or scratchy throat

However, as per reports gathered from the patients in South Africa, some classical Covid-19 symptoms are not found in patients infected by the Omicron variant. This includes symptoms such as loss of smell and taste.

What is the risk of reinfection?

According to the preliminary medical records, there can be a high risk of reinfection by the Omicron variant compared to the other Covid-19 variants. People who were infected by the other Covid-19 virus variants can get infected again with the Omicron variant.

How to diagnose an Omicron infection?

The classic RT-PCR test still stays effective to detect the new Covid-19 infection ‘Omicron’. As per South African diagnostic and Pathological laboratories, rapid-antigen tests also help to detect the Omicron virus.

Can current medications be effective against Omicron?

The common or primary symptoms such as headache or body pain can be treated with symptomatic treatment techniques. Medication groups such as corticosteroids and Interlukin-6 receptor blockers can be effective while managing severely infected patients.

How effective are current Covid-19 vaccines against the Omicron variant?

As per the minimal primary medical records gathered, the current Covid-19 vaccines brands such as Pfizer or Moderna remain slightly effective against the new variant. Vaccines remain critical to reducing severe mortality and morbidity rates.

That’s why you should consider taking a booster shot of the vaccine if you are eligible for it. Here’s a complete list of the COVID-19 vaccines in India, available for adults above the age of 18.