What Should We Need to Know About the Omicron Variant?

Introduction

The pandemic is not over yet; yes, we have something new instead. After the delta variant, SARS CoV 2 mutated once again, and now we have the Omicron variant. In South Africa, the first case of this variant was detected on 22 November 2021. However, its severity is still a question to answer, but as per reports, it is more contagious than any other variant.

The Center for disease control and prevention (CDC) is set to tie up with different global public health agencies to research and learn more about this new variant. They are on the way to monitoring this new corona variant to learn more about its contagious nature, the severity of illness that it can cause, and how it can be effectively treated.

Omicron Variant

Omicron is like corona 2.0. The mutated version of SARS CoV 2 coronavirus tends to spread faster than the original one. According to new data, omicron is more dangerous and severely affects people. As per the studies, it is concluded that omicron is more contagious than any other corona variant. Going with the exact figures, coronavirus has affected nearly 32 cr people worldwide; more than 55.2 lacs deaths have been reported.

After this new corona variant, even vaccinated people are not safe from this deadly disease. However, vaccination does help you to protect your body from corona, but it does not guarantee you protection against the disease.

Related Symptoms of Omicron Variant

The symptoms of this new variant are the same as of corona, but its severity may differ. If you are infected with this new variant, you may experience chills, fever, pain in the body, breathing issues, loss of smell or taste. Diarrhea, headache, sore throat, cough or congestion, fatigue, runny or stuffy nose are some common symptoms of this new corona variant.

Omicron Treatment

Once you feel sick and observe any omicron symptoms, you are advised to get yourself tested. If you get adverse reports, congratulations; you need rest and take necessary precautions against the disease.

But we also advise not to worry even if tested corona positive. You need to keep yourself positive and calm, take proper rest, and eat a healthy and immunity booster diet. You should also follow all the necessary guidelines for home quarantine (self-isolation) if you are in your home. We also advise you to take proper medicines and all the home remedies, and self-isolation.

When To Seek a Medical Assistant After Getting Infected With The Omicron Variant?

Although we pray that you get well soon without any difficulty or any other medical complications; however, you are advised to consult your doctor in case of any complications. You should immediately seek medical assistance if you experience:

• shortage of breath
• continuous pain and pressure in the chest
• confusion
• discolored nails or lips
• change in the skin color

Please observe your health; you might experience other severe symptoms if infected with this new variant.

Precautions Against Omicron Variant

You all might agree that prevention is always better than cure. Therefore, we advise you to take all the necessary steps to protect yourself from this deadly virus. You should get yourself vaccinated and use masks (Preferably N 95 that adequately covers your mouth and nose) and gloves while stepping out of your house. You are required to sanitize your hands more frequently. Please avoid going out unnecessarily to crowded places and carry out all your tasks from home.

We also advise you to get tested if you are not feeling well or observing any corona symptoms. In addition to this, please isolate yourself from your family and friends to protect them from this contagious disease. You should also make 6 feet from others while going out and avoid poorly ventilated places.

Other Warnings Related to Omicron Variant

You are required to be extra careful about your health if you have heart disease, high blood pressure, or diabetes. You are more prone to this new variant if you have these disorders. Your condition may get even worse if you have any neurological disorders.

Keep yourself positive during the isolation period and take care of your health even more after recovering from omicron as your internal organs might not work well enough.

Different Corona Variant

Alpha variant: It is the first mutated version of SARS CoV 2 and is 30 % to 40 % more contagious than the original one. The alpha variant was first traced in September 2020. The two notable mutations of this new variant are N501Y and P681H.

Beta variant: The arrival of the beta variant was confirmed in May 2020. The health authorities have confirmed that it changes to antigenicity and is more transmission rate.

Gama variant: The first case Gama variant was confirmed in Brazil in Nov 2020, and it is found that it is virulence, changes to antigenicity, and has increased transmissibility.

Delta variant: Delta variant is almost similar to the beta variant but is more severe than any other SARS CoV 2 variant.

Omicron variant: omicron is the recent mutation of SARS CoV 2. it was first traced in Nov 2021, and it is found that omicron is the most contagious corona variant.

Omicron Variant V/S Delta Variant

The first case of delta variant was reported in Oct 2020, while the first case of omicron was confirmed in Nov 2021. To make things more precise, the comparison between the omicron and delta is essential.

After the recent survey, it is concluded that the cases of omicron are comparatively less than delta variant, but the rise in the cases is expected soon. There are some SARS CoV 2, but the delta variant is the most dangerous out of them all. And the severity of omicron is still a question to answer.

Talking about the contagious nature of omicron, it is found that omicron is spreading faster than any other corona variant. As per the studies, it is concluded that omicron multiplies 70 times faster than the delta variant.

Between delta and omicron, omicron is less fatal than the delta variant, and the risk of hospitalization is reduced by 51 % in the case of omicron variant.

Omicron has 60 mutations (50 nonsynonymous mutations, eight synonymous mutations, and two non-coding mutations) which is the maximum number of mutations found in any variant.

Effectiveness Of the Vaccine on Omicron Variant

Researchers are working hard to find the effectiveness of the corona vaccine against the omnicron variant. Although the information about the efficacy of the medicine is still tiny, there are possibilities that the efficacy of the treatment reduces in the case of the new variant.

Conclusion

Omicron is the most recent variant of SARS CoV 2, which is most contagious among all the corona variants. Although it spreads fasters, it is still less severe than the delta variant.

As of now, scientists are working hard day and night to study the omicron system that will help them treat and protect infected people more effectively.