Is loss of taste or smell a symptom of the COVID-19 Omicron variant?

Rates of smell and taste loss were 17% for Omicron, compared with 44% for Delta and 50% for Alpha, the investigators found. The study was published recently in the journal Otolaryngology — Head and Neck Surgery.

Can the Omicron variant cause long term COVID-19 symptoms?

The possibility of long COVID. While omicron may cause less severe symptoms, this may not mean a decreased risk of long-term sickness.

What are some symptoms of the COVID-19 BA.4 and BA.5 Omicron subvariants?

According to experts, most of the symptoms of recent subvariant are the same as other strains of COVID, including a stuffy nose, body aches, sore throat, sneezing, headache, coughing, fatigue and more.

Is loss of smell a common symptom of COVID-19?

Temporary loss of smell, known as anosmia, is a commonly reported indicator of COVID-19.

Is the COVID-19 Omicron variant more transmissible than previous variants?

The good news was that the new variant caused less severe illness and death than Delta. But it was also highly transmissible—more contagious than any variant that came before it.

Is the Delta variant more contagious than the original strain of COVID-19?

People infected with the Delta variant have roughly 1,000 times more copies of the virus in their respiratory tract than those infected with the original strain of COVID-19. Those who are fully vaccinated are much less likely than those who are unvaccinated to contract and spread the Delta variant, but it does happen.

Is there a difference in spread between the Omicron and Delta COVID-19 variant?

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.

How many days can the COVID-19 symptoms last?

How long do COVID symptoms last? Those with a mild case of COVID-19 usually recover in one to two weeks. For severe cases, recovery can take six weeks or more, and for some, there may be lasting symptoms with or without damage to the heart, kidneys, lungs and brain.

How long can loss of smell from COVID-19 last?

In most cases, loss of smell lasts only a few weeks, but for more than 12 percent of people with COVID-19, olfactory dysfunction persists in the form of ongoing reduction in the ability to smell or changes in how smells are perceived.

How long could you be contagious with COVID-19?

"Youve gotta stay home for five days because typically those first five days are when you are the most contagious," Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady said. "But in those days six to 10, some people still can be spreading virus."

Is coughing a symptom of the Omicron COVID-19 variant?

Cough and fatigue also continue to be common symptoms for people with Omicron.

Can I have symptoms of COVID-19 and test negative?

Simply put: Depending on when you take a test, if you have COVID symptoms and receive negative results from an at-home, rapid test, the level of virus in your body could be too low to be detected by the test, at least at first.

What are some of the first symptoms of COVID-19?

Early symptoms reported by some people include fatigue, headache, sore throat or fever. Others experience a loss of smell or taste. COVID-19 can cause symptoms that are mild at first, but then become more intense over five to seven days, with worsening cough and shortness of breath.

Is lower back pain associated with the omicron COVID-19 variant?

A report from South Africa's largest health insurer found that a sore throat, congestion, dry cough and lower back pain ranked among the most common early omicron symptoms.

What are some of the potential long-term effects of COVID-19?

Known as post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC), or more commonly as Long COVID, these conditions affect all ages. Long-term effects include fatigue, shortness of breath, difficulty concentrating, sleep disorders, fevers, anxiety and depression.

What is multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C)?

Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is a serious condition associated with COVID-19 where different body parts can become inflamed, including the heart, lungs, kidneys, brain, skin, eyes, or gastrointestinal organs.

Will loss of smell and taste return after COVID-19?

Will my sense of smell return? Dr. Piccirillo says most of those who suffer the loss of smell, loss of taste or both during COVID-19 infection quickly regain it. But, for those whose sense of smell hasn't returned after six months or longer — generally 5% to 10% of those who initially suffered the loss — Dr.

What should I do if my sense of smell hasnt come back after COVID-19?

If you've lost your sense of smell or sense of taste after COVID-19 infection, and it hasn't returned after several weeks or months, schedule an appointment with your primary care physician or an ear, nose and throat/ENT specialist.

Can you regain your sense of smell after losing it due to COVID-19?

A year on, nearly all patients in a French study who lost their sense of smell after a bout of COVID-19 did regain that ability, researchers report.

How long do most people continue to test positive for COVID-19?

According to the New York Times, the omicron variant of the coronavirus moves quickly, with viral levels typically peaking less than five days after the virus is first detectable. However, some people will continue to test positive for the virus even up to 14 days later.

Can COVID-19 symptoms get worse as it goes along?

COVID-19 can cause symptoms that are mild at first, but then become more intense over five to seven days, with worsening cough and shortness of breath.

Can I recover at home if I have symptoms of COVID-19?

If you have a fever, cough, or other symptoms, you might have COVID-19. Most people have mild illness and are able to recover at home. If you are sick:

• Keep track of your symptoms.
• If you have an emergency warning sign (including trouble breathing), call 911.

What is the Omicron variant of COVID-19?

Currently, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has spread worldwide as an Omicron variant. This variant is a heavily mutated virus and designated as a variant of concern by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Are the symptoms of the Delta COVID-19 variant different from the original COVID-19?

The symptoms of the delta variant appear to be the same as the original version of COVID-19. However, physicians are seeing people getting sicker quicker, especially for younger people.

Is Delta more transmissible than the Alpha COVID-19 variant?

It's estimated that Delta caused more than twice as many infections as previous variants—in Connecticut, it was estimated to have been 80 to 90% more transmissible than the Alpha variant.