However, the "stealth" version, as it has been dubbed, does appear to be even more transmissible. Death continues to be stable. This makes it quite different from the Omicron variant in a number of ways and is also a reason for concern. if( navigator.sendBeacon ) { Stealth Omicron Variant Is Harder To Detect, Could Be More Contagious Its really hitting people at the prime of their life and people who never were hospitalized for COVID that just cant shake the symptoms that go on and on.. The positivity rate is also up to 1.8%, an increase from the 1.5% reported last week. While it will still take time to know even more about BA.2, some virus experts have already pinpointed some potential common signs of the stealth Omicron variant. However, one must note, these are only early stage symptoms. FWIW, its a controversial nickname that not everyone is into. Scientists find 'stealth' version of Omicron that may be harder to It may be coronavirus BA.2 and you really need to stay in and quarantine for public health reasons.. However, there is no need to worry since symptoms have been mild, with no rise in hospitalizations or ICU admissions. And while numbers in the country are still on the lower side, some virus experts have expressed concern that BA.2 could stall the progress that is being made in the U.S. "BA.2 may extend the Omicron wave a little longer, but I don't think it changes the overall trajectory of the pandemic," Amesh Adalja, MD, a senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, told Prevention, adding that "there is no cause for concern with BA.2 as everything you do to handle BA.1 is applicable.". In honor of Older Americans Month (May 1-31, 2023), the AMA celebrates senior physician members (ages 65 years and above). Whether it is medium COVID or some other term, weve really seen the whole gamut from one day of symptoms from COVID-19 and then everything is well to one year or more of symptoms and things are still really bad, she said. The culprit is a "subvariant" of the omicron variant, which means it's closely related to omicron but has some different mutations. Theres not a ton known about BA.2 at the moment, but the WHO says it has some differences from BA.1, including some changes in the spike protein, which is what the virus uses to infect your cells. A 'stealth' Omicron subvariant is now spreading, worrying experts One can also rule out symptoms like loss of smell or taste and shortness of breath, as the BA.2 variant does not affect the lungs primarily. These days, we still just recommend people get the vaccine if you haven't because there is protection against the current circulating virus, said Dr. Crum. Zee Krstic is a health editor for Good Housekeeping, where he covers health and nutrition news, decodes diet and fitness trends and reviews the best products in the wellness aisle. But unlike the delta variant, many patients were not losing their taste or smell. 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. What Is BA.2, the So-Called Stealth Omicron Variant? Empirical data has said that this spread faster than the Omicron variant, which in itself had a higher transmissibility than Covid-19. Here's what you can expect if you experience a breakthrough infection. Fever was much less common. Two years into the pandemic, a mutated version of the omicron variant, known as BA.2, has become the latest challenge to taming Covid-19. We have prophylactic monoclonal antibodies that have been developed and could be considered in those patients who we really think do not have good immunity against the virus, she added. } ); Here's How Worried You Should Be About 'Stealth' Omicron, The Difference Between a Heart Attack and a Stroke. ChandanaBalasubramanian is anexperienced healthcare executive who writes on the intersection of healthcare and technology. iPhone or This means there has been a break from some of the earlier tell-tale COVID symptoms like loss of smell or taste and shortness of breath. "It's like when Omicron first hit. Why this matters: The subvariant BA.2, which has been nicknamed the "stealth omicron," could be spreading faster than the original omicron and lead to even more COVID-19 cases, according to Fortune. But for some people, they will get infected with this new subvariant. AMA Recovery Plan for America's Physicians, Featured updates: COVID-19 resource center, Subscribe to the AMAs Advocacy Update newsletter, AMA Morning Rounds: Your daily dose of health care news. As the Omicron variant continues to .css-1me6ynq{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-thickness:0.0625rem;text-decoration-color:#125C68;text-underline-offset:0.25rem;color:#125C68;-webkit-transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;}.css-1me6ynq:hover{color:#595959;text-decoration-color:#595959;}fuel widespread SARS-CoV-2 sickness here in the United States, a sibling-like version of the highly infectious variant is now causing concern among healthcare providers as it becomes more prevalent across the globe. Called BA.2 by scientists, it has earned itself a more ominous (and more catchy) nickname: stealth omicron. In addition to Runner's World, she has contributed health, fitness and wellness content to Women's Health, SELF, Prevention, Healthline, and the Houston Chronicle, among other publications. The AMA Update covers a range of health care topics affecting the lives of physicians and patients. 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. 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? I verify that Im in the U.S. and agree to receive communication from the AMA or third parties on behalf of AMA. What is Stealth Omicron? Symptoms of the Covid variant responsible for "Last week in Denmark, BA.2 was about 60 percent of the cases. But vaccination is better than getting the infection and assuming protection, meaning even if you've had previous coronavirus infections, there's still a clear benefit for vaccination in terms of the immunity that you'll have against future variants, she said. That means vaccination, having COVID or both. Notably the new sub-variant of the Omicron is diverse from the parent variant. Therefore, various cases of Stealth Omicron lead to stomach issues instead of. I don't see this moving the dial significantly in terms of posing a new, huge problem.". So, COVID tests can detect Arcturus, and existing COVID treatments work. The six common gut-related symptoms include: Nausea Diarrhoea Vomiting Abdominal pain Heartburn Bloating readmore 04 /6 How Stealth Omicron infects the gut As per the researcher associated with the ZOE COVID-19 study, it is well proven by now that the virus enters the mouth or nose and starts multiplying in the respiratory system or the lungs. Visit our online community or participate in medical education webinars. You are encouraged to discuss any questions that you may have about your health with your healthcare provider. The deadly novel coronavirus mutated over time and and has created newer variants that fueled every wave of the pandemic. How Many Steps Do I Need a Day for Weight Loss? The symptoms COVID infections, according to the CDC, include: Fever or chills Cough Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing Fatigue Muscle or body aches Headache New loss of taste or smell. Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing. While we hate to be the bearer of even more bad news, this new variant appears to be able to spread as rapidly as the OG omicron. Your session has expired, please login again. The holidays may have ended, but COVID continues to loom large. Also, you may have to take time off work and risk infecting your loved ones. Thats because the BA.2 subvariant of Omicron is more transmissible.. COVID Etiquette Tips: How to Plan Stress-free Springtime Gatherings. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), it is the dominant strain in India and has been found in over 30 countries, including the United States. Arcturus or XBB.1.16 is a subvariant of Omicron. Omicron BA.2 . Find possible causes of symptoms and get recommendations on what to do next. "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. With the BA.2 variant, sometimes called "stealth Omicron," driving a surge of cases in Europe, people are eager to distinguish the symptoms of Omicron from those of other coronavirus variants . Emerging research has been showing that Omicron is more likely to affect the upper respiratory tract instead of the lungs, unlike some prior versions of the virus, according to WHO. Dr. Gregory Huhn, an infectious disease physician and the COVID-19 vaccine coordinator for Cook County Health, noted that while omicron led to more upper respiratory symptoms, it remains too early to tell if BA.2 will continue that trend. 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. If its a more minor shift in the genetic sequencing, then it becomes a subvariant, she said, noting that Omicron BA.1 was the major variant that supplanted Delta and that happened over the winter months. However, the bivalent vaccine released last year offers protection against severe disease, hospitalization, and death from COVID variants, including previous Omicron subvariants, including XBB.1.15 (CDC study). } else { 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. Some of these fall in line with tell-tale Omicron symptoms. 5 Reasons You Are Feeling Tired All The Time Being de-hydrated - Enough water is the cure of more . fatigue (mild or severe) sneezing. If you are unvaccinated, the good news is that, now, all you need is the single, bivalent vaccine which covers the original strain together with Omicron variants. Meaning, you shouldn't expect a brand new symptom to appear if you happen to be impacted by "stealth" Omicron specifically largely, the side effects of contracting this particular strain have remained the same. 'Stealth Omicron' was just overtaken in the U.S. by a new - Fortune It is not intended as, and Solv Health, Inc. does not provide, medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Studies have clearly shown the benefit of vaccination despite prior COVID infection.. Typically the conjunctivitis is associated with other COVID symptoms as well, and does not present alone. We adhere to structured guidelines for sourcing information and linking to other resources, including What To Know About BA.2, the 'Stealth' Omicron Variant Its not just simply a short-term illness with a sore throat or a cough, rather up to 30% of people are having long COVIDdefined as four weeks or more of symptomswith all kinds of issues from shortness of breath to fatigue to hearing problems to dizziness to ocular symptoms., What this new variant is going to look like as far as its propensity to cause long COVID, we dont know, but I would expect for us to see more people with long term issues, she said. Otherwise, the variant functions quite similarly to Omicron itself and experts say there isn't cause for overt panic just yet; a report released this week by the United Kingdom's Health Security Agency suggests that current vaccines provide similar protection against the "stealth" variant as it does to original Omicron infections. Experts speaking to outlets like the San Francisco Chronicle and Deseret News indicate that the likelihood of someone becoming sick through exposure to any Omicron variant after experiencing an Omicron infection earlier this winter is very unlikely, but not out of the question. Learn more. Despite BA.2 being labeled a subvariant of Omicron, there are still significant differences in the genetic makeup of the variants. And now we have BA.2, which is a modified version of the BA.1 that's becoming the most prevalent in the United States, Dr. Crum added. 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. If there's a question, take a test Our members are the frontline of patient care, expanding access to care for underserved patients and developing key prevention strategies. The third wave was driven by the Omicron Variant that was first detected in South Africa. According to the infectious disease expert, this includes making sure you're fully vaccinated, getting your booster shot when you're eligible, and wearing a mask in indoor spaces. Omicron is very contagious and, according to Danish scientists, the BA.2 variant is slightly more contagious (1.5 times) than the first Omicron strain, Dr. Naik explains. Explained: Stealth Omicron Subvariant, its Symptoms, Cases, and Death Rate The original omicron variant, which scientists call BA.1 or B.1.1.529, was until recently the most transmissible known version of the virus. She has a masters degree from American University, lives by the beach, and hopes to own a teacup pig and taco truck one day. 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. With the BA.2 omicron subvariant now the dominant strain across Chicago and the U.S., what symptoms should you be watching for? This variant can cause digestive problems like nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, heatburn . The good news, however, is that Omicron cases have waned after its predicted January peak and will hopefully continue to trend downward. Back to School 2022: Tips to protect your kids from Omicron BA.5. The two most reported symptom of patients infected by the Stealth Omicron variant is -dizziness and fatigue. The U.K., for example, saw a steep decline in COVID-19 cases in mid-January. 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. I haven't seen data to suggest that vaccines would not be helpful for the current circulating variants, said Dr. Crum. Another problem with detecting Stealth Omicron is that the symptoms are almost identical to those of the original Omicron variant. "The most reported symptoms of Omicron are really very much like a cold, especially in people who've been vaccinated," Claire Steves, PhD, a scientist from King's College London involved with Zoe, confirmed in a Jan. 6 video. The AMAsWhat Doctors Wish Patients Knew series provides physicians with a platform to share what they want patients to understand about todays health care headlines, especially throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Each month, the Senior Physician Sectionhighlights membersand individualsto showcase their work and current efforts. Some scientists have referred to BA.2 as a "stealth" variant because, although it has many mutations in common with the original BA.1 Omicron variant, it lacks a genetic deletion on the spike protein that allows the rapid identification of probable cases using certain PCR tests. There is a possibility that healthcare providers will uncover a new trend for this particular "stealth" variant in the future but it remains true that anyone impacted by COVID-19 may be impacted by any one of the following symptoms reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Dr. Edwards adds that it is too early to tell anything about the mortality rate and hospitalization rate around this particular variant, nor if it particularly impacts a certain subset of the population more frequently. Sore throat. 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. The Omicron Variant of COVID-19 - WebMD Read below for the BA.2 variant's symptoms. For some, the virus can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death. Stealth Omicron Symptoms: 11 Potential Side Effects for BA.2 Cases daily newsletter, This One Symptom Could Be Your First Sign of Omicron, Doctors Warn. If you're experiencing unexplained symptoms detailed on the list above in any sequence, combination or severity, your best bet is to seek out a COVID-19 test to ensure you are healthy. Again, here in Illinois, we are seeing these rising cases and a context of much lower cases than we had seen in the winter. The NHS explained: "These may come and go throughout the day. "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. What to know about omicron BA.2 variant symptoms - NBC News According to Manish Naik, M.D., internal medicine physician at Austin Regional Clinic in Austin, Texas, this variant, which has been formally recognized by the World Health Organization, has the official name BA.2, whereas standard omicron is referred to as BA.1. BA.2 was initially detected in Canada, Australia, the U.K., and South Africa in December, and a few cases have more recently been discovered in the U.S., he says. So far, symptoms appear to be consistent with the omicron variant. Researchers have been working to pinpoint common signs of the Omicron variant over the last few months. Like the original strain of Omicron, BA.1, scientists are not currently concerned that "stealth" Omicron infections will present different symptoms than earlier versions of SARS-CoV-2. If you feel sick or have COVID-like symptoms, Solv can help you find a COVID test and an urgent care center near you. Certainly, if you've had a COVID infection, let's say with BA.1, you would likely have some protection via natural immunity against BA.2, said Dr. Crum. Arcturus or XBB.1.16 is a subvariant of Omicron. Remember, having COVID is often similar to having the flueven if you do not have severe disease or get admitted to a hospital, fighting a fever and other symptoms is not pleasant. The Omicron strain has mutated slightly into a new iteration, becoming the leading source of infection in some parts of the world. What Are Dehydration Headaches? Download AMA Connect app for The FDA is warning of potential contamination. .css-13y9o4w{display:block;font-family:GraphikBold,GraphikBold-fallback,Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif;font-weight:bold;margin-bottom:0;margin-top:0;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}@media (any-hover: hover){.css-13y9o4w:hover{color:link-hover;}}@media(max-width: 48rem){.css-13y9o4w{font-size:1.05rem;line-height:1.2;margin-bottom:0.25rem;}}@media(min-width: 40.625rem){.css-13y9o4w{font-size:1.28598rem;line-height:1.2;}}@media(min-width: 48rem){.css-13y9o4w{font-size:1.39461rem;line-height:1.2;margin-bottom:0.5rem;}}@media(min-width: 64rem){.css-13y9o4w{font-size:1.23488rem;line-height:1.3;}}The Difference Between a Heart Attack and a Stroke, 9 Signs You May Develop Erectile Dysfunction, 6 Harmless Reasons You Can't Get An Erection, Signs You're Having an Existential Crisis, Covid Shots After the Public Health Emergency Ends, A Day in the Life of a (Clueless) Medical Intern, What the Covid Public Health Emergency End Means, What Is a Pulmonary Embolism From 'Succession', I Stopped Reading Political News for 30 Days. While . We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. 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. Most read in Health News GUTTED Starbucks customers share 'nasty stomach issues' after trying new menu item SIZE MATTERS Scrotum 'webbing' op that boosts penis size and sex life surges in popularity WINE DOWN } RELATED: This One Symptom Could Be Your First Sign of Omicron, Doctors Warn. It's not to say that researchers won't notice a new trend or common thread between "stealth" Omicron infections that differ from Omicron infections now, Delta-linked infections or those earliest cases of COVID-19 in 2020. Meaning, you shouldn't expect a brand new symptom to appear if you happen to be impacted by "stealth" Omicron specifically largely, the side effects of . Solv can help you schedule your COVID vaccines or visit a licensed provider near you. "We will have to wait and see what exactly that means," said Dr. Rachael Lee, an associate professor of infectious disease and a health care epidemiologist at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Covid 4th wave: 10 symptoms to watch out for - DNA India People Are Saying COVID Could Become Endemic But What Does That Mean? "Last week in Denmark, BA.2 was about 60 percent of the cases. While all symptoms remain possible for anyone who becomes sick, not all COVID-19 infections are the same, and upper respiratory symptoms have become more prevalent this winter than other potential symptoms that have been noted in years past. What to know about BA.2, the newest Covid omicron variant - NBC News Coronavirus symptoms: 6 signs of 'Stealth Omicron' you can witness in The National Health Commission in China reported 1,337 locally transmitted cases in the latest 24-hour period, including 895 in the industrial province of Jilin. 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.". But, as we know from the past, variants have the potential to mutate and cause widespread illness. 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. Among individuals who had received at least one dose of vaccine, the most common symptoms were sneezing, sore throat, nasal congestion, cough, and headache, they found. 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. 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. I dont see this moving the dial significantly in terms of posing a new, huge problem., He adds, theres not the same concern level that we had with Omicron with BA.1.. Review the list of candidates to serve on the AMA Board of Trustees and councils. This article is accurate as of press time. Dr. Rohatsch completed his military service in the US Air Force and earned his MD from Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University. According to data from Spector's Zoe COVID Study App, there are five common symptoms being reported with this variant: runny nose, headache, fatigue, sneezing, and sore throat. 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. That progress, however, plateaued right as cases of BA.2 increased in circulation. Two 'Stealth Omicron' symptoms that may confirm you have Covid before 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. 6 Things to know about Omicron BA.4 and BA.5. Based on the CDCs genomic surveillance, the BA.2 or stealth Omicron subvariant is responsible for most new SARS-CoV-2 infections in the U.S. BA.2 is a subvariant of the original SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant(B.1.1.529), along with BA.1.1 and BA.3. sore throat. 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. Dr. Crum is also an alternate delegate in the AMA House of Delegates for the Infectious Diseases Society of America. As per one of the leading professors in the UK, cases of Stealth Omicron show symptoms of the gut. 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 And then the other question is, will we get yet another variant thats going to supplant BA.2 thats going to start up in the future and how impactful will these future variants be? she added.
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