Read more. He brings comprehensive healthcare expertise ranging from medical group operations to revenue cycle management and clinical expertise. xhr.open('POST', 'https://www.google-analytics.com/collect', true); "The stealth Omicron subvariant is taking its toll on the world right now, with European nations especially showing major spikes in the numbers of daily infection cases there," Kwon said. "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.". University of California, Irvine School of Medicine, current vaccines provide similar protection, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing. 11 Potential Stealth Omicron Symptoms Experts Say May Impact Breakthrough Cases. Those include: Anecdotal reports have suggested that dizziness could be a possible symptom, but they are so far unfounded. However, it still makes up a very small portion of COVID-19 cases in that countryand in the U.S. There is some suggestion that BA.1 may be a little bit more transmissible than Omicron but, at this point, it doesnt seem to cause any more or less severe disease, Dr. Russo says. This means that a person who is showing symptoms attributed to "stealth omicron" may test positive for COVID-19 in all the usual tests, but they may not necessarily test positive for the new . Those symptoms are . Read on to find out what you should be watching out for when it comes to this new version of the virus. Notably the new sub-variant of the Omicron is diverse from the parent variant. In fact, a recent CDC report that examined hospital ER and urgent care center data found that vaccine effectiveness against ER visits and hospitalizations was higher after the third dose (i.e. We are seeing some just some bubbling up here and there and that's important to keep an eye on, but overall stable. There is no need to panic; public health agencies continue to track the variant closely. RELATED: As far as new symptoms go, you don't have to worry much about stealth omicron. "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.". If you feel sick or have COVID-like symptoms, Solv can help you find a COVID test and an urgent care center near you. The BA.2 has been sometimes dubbed a stealth variant because it is missing key mutations in its spike protein that are necessary for rapid PCR tests to distinguish it from previous variants, such as Delta. 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. if( 'moc.enilnoefiltseb' !== location.hostname.split('').reverse().join('') ) { Even though BA.2 is labelled a subvariant of Omicron, its genetic make-up is quite different from the latter. 7 tips for taking care of yourself at home with Omicron, Omicron 101: Everything you need to know to stay safe, 7 Marathons, 7 Continents, 7 Days: Thriving with Type 1 Diabetes, How to Talk to Young Kids About the COVID Vaccine: Tips from a Pediatrician, COVID Vaccine Booster Shots: What you need to know, 16 COVID-Takes on Holiday Traditions, and other creative ideas, New COVID variant XBB.1.16 Arcturus in the US: What you need to know, Stay updated on COVID vaccines, including the bivalent booster. 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. The Stealth Omicron variant has fueled the recent outbreak in China, which according to reports is the biggest one in two years for the east Asian country. ChandanaBalasubramanian is anexperienced healthcare executive who writes on the intersection of healthcare and technology. The views expressed by authors and contributors of such content are not endorsed or approved by Solv Health and are intended for informational purposes only. I haven't seen data to suggest that vaccines would not be helpful for the current circulating variants, said Dr. Crum. A month after the omicron subvariant BA.2 made the headlines for being a "stealth" version of the novel coronavirus, health officials are now warning of two new symptoms not typically seen in patients infected with other variants. 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. Arcturus or XBB.1.16 is a subvariant of Omicron. navigator.sendBeacon('https://www.google-analytics.com/collect', payload); } else { My sense is that were not going to have a major outbreak thats going to return us to where we were a few months ago in terms of our case counts, she said. FWIW, its a controversial nickname that not everyone is into. 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 BA.2, also known as "stealth omicron," is considered a subvariant of omicron, but, according to Chicago's top doctor, the suvariant is now making up at least two-thirds of the city's COVID cases. headache. Many people who have Omicron say it feels like a common cold, and here are the 8 early warning signs you need to look out for. For me, one of the scariest things is that it's not just the people who are hospitalized and have severe COVID that are developing long COVID, said Dr. Crum. According to The Daily Express, there are seven symptoms U.K. researchers have already associated with the new stealth Omicron variant: fever, extreme fatigue, coughing, sore throat, sore head, muscular fatigue, and an elevated heart rate. While some are referring to this as medium COVID, there isnt a scientific name for it just yet. New research finds that the "stealth" Omicron subvariant, BA.2, has greater ability to evade immune protections and increased risk of reinfection. Stop calling it stealth Omicron, says infectious disease expert Amesh A. Adalja, M.D., a senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security. BA.2, though, is increasing in many countries, the WHO says online. Genetic . That means that while the test can detect a BA.2 infection, it looks like it is the Delta variant instead. Yes, but: The "stealth" variant of the omicron variant could be harder to track, per The Guardian. This analysis found no clear difference in the symptom profile of Delta and Omicron, with only 50% of people experiencing the classic three symptoms of fever, cough, or loss of sense of smell or taste. The beginning of a new school year is always hectic. "This may mean higher peak infections in places that have yet to peak, and a slowdown in the downward trends in places that have already experienced peak Omicron," Thomas Peacock, PhD, a virologist at Imperial College London, explain to The New York Times. "I have not seen anything to indicate that the symptoms with BA.2 are different from BA.1," Dr. Edwards says. So, we really haven't seen this variant take off. 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. Northwestern's Dr. Michael Angarone, an associate professor of medicine in infectious diseases, said the symptoms for BA.2 are similar to those seen in many COVID infections. If this bothers you for a couple of days or more, then one should consult a doctor. So what this is going to mean for us is really the big question, Dr. Crum said. And Omicron's BA.2 subvariant might not be much different. 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. She is also an 11-time marathoner, a USATF Level 1-certified running coach, and an avid traveler. 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. However, fortunately this variant is not more virulent in terms of causing more severe disease, she said. This new iteration of the fast-spreading variant has been gaining a foothold in several counties since Jan. 24, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported. Emilia Benton is a Houston-based freelance writer and editor. This version of the coronavirus, which scientists call BA.2, is widely considered stealthier than the original version of Omicron because particular genetic traits make it somewhat harder to. "So this is the same virus, so SARS Coronavirus 2, so we're seeing the same symptoms," he said. Positive for COVID? One of the common symptoms of Stealth Omicron - much like the original variant - is vertigo or dizziness. Learn more. 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. The virus mutating due to environmental factors and geographical area leads to several changes in the nature and structure of the virus. Heres what to do. Its a whirlwind of activities with lots of planning Another day, another COVID-19 variant in the news at least thats what it feels like these days. The NHS explained: "These may come and go throughout the day. Find tips to protect patient health records and other data from cyberattacks. Dr. Adalja agrees. Download the Mint app and read premium stories. Download AMA Connect app for Rising COVID infections associated with the so-called "stealth" omicron variant BA.2 are fueling fresh leeriness about the state of the pandemic in Massachusetts and across the country, just as life as we now know it is beginning to return to normal. You are just one step away from creating your watchlist! 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. Its not like this variant has increased ability to evade vaccine-induced immunity, he says. 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). See how the CCB recommends changes to the AMA Constitution and Bylaws and assists in reviewing the rules, regulations and procedures of AMA sections. The latest COVID variants are spreading faster with more breakthrough infections. Physician organizations applaud introduction of Medicare payment legislation and more in the latest Advocacy Update spotlight. Currently, health experts have confirmed that Omicron infections specifically have led to a new common trend of upper respiratory symptoms issues like sore throats and nausea over symptoms like shortness of breath or a loss of taste and smell. The omicron variant and its sublineages made the virus much more contagious and capable of infecting more people, but it's led to less severe disease, on average, than the delta variant . All you need to know, When to get checked: A guide to mens preventive health (including timelines and screenings), Getting back to health: your checklist for 2022, Protecting Your Kids with the COVID-19 Vaccine, Parent Tips for a no burn-out, no bummer summer with kids. We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. They're a population that we have to be especially concerned about. These symptoms can occur two to three days after becoming infected with the virus and can last for a long time in the body," adds Dr Grover. If you've already fallen ill with COVID-19 recently and learned you were impacted by Omicron specifically, you may be wondering if "stealth" Omicron could cause you to become sick once more. Since Arcturus is new to US soil and is only 9% of the total cases, the CDC has yet to release a list of symptoms. "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. Despite it's foreboding name, experts are adamant that "stealth" Omicron infections can still be identified on both clinical PCR COVID-19 tests as well as home-based rapid result tests. This might be especially true given the fact that no research has indicated that the subvariant is any more likely to counteract the efficacy of our COVID vaccines. But experts say Omicron is unlikely to present it this way and have highlighted some symptoms that you should never ignore. The top 5 symptoms in both periods were: runny nose. Solv can help you book same-day appointments and urgent care visits with a provider near you. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Other experts say they don't feel like the emergence of the stealth Omicron variant is any cause for panic. Hospitalizations and deaths have declined over the last week, though officials previously noted those metrics often lag behind a rise in cases. 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. "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. Transitioningfrom medical student to resident can be a challenge. Even though WHO agrees that the knowledge about B.A2 is still developing, but this lineage is more diverse. Solv has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. 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. RELATED: This One Symptom Could Be Your First Sign of Omicron, Doctors Warn. Scientists and health officials around the world are keeping their eyes on a descendant of the omicron variant that has been found in at least 40 countries, including the United States. Read on to know more. Learn more! The Omicron variant quickly took over as the primary driver of COVID-19 infections in the U.S. soon after it was named a variant of concern in late November by the World Health Organization. Stealth Omicron or BA.2 affects the gut rather than the nose, leading to many problems related to the digestive system. xhr.setRequestHeader('Content-Type', 'text/plain;charset=UTF-8'); In honor of Older Americans Month (May 1-31, 2023), the AMA celebrates senior physician members (ages 65 years and above). So far, they seem to be fairly consistent with known COVID symptoms and not distinguishable from BA.1, Dr. Adalja says. Investigations into the characteristics of BA.2, including immune escape properties and virulence, should be prioritized independently (and comparatively) to BA.1, the agency added. 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. 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. 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. 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. But the reality is that traditional prevention strategies of masking and hand hygiene remain important for these groups., The best thing we could do is all be immune against coronavirus so that these variants could slowly fade away, Dr. Crum said. 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. But a sub-variant of Omicron, called BA.2 or stealth Omicron has also been making waves more recently. We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. For some, the virus can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death. He claims a director asked him to undress. In case you cant find any email from our side, please check the spam folder. You are now subscribed to our newsletters. RELATED: These 4 New COVID Symptoms Could Mean You Have Omicron, Doctors Warn. Scratchy throat Lower back pain Runny nose/congestion Headache Fatigue Sneezing Night sweats Body aches Topics Coronavirus YOU MIGHT LIKE However, WHO says that the new subvariant has an additional mutation in its spike protein that increases its ability to transmit infections. Dr. Rohatsch completed his military service in the US Air Force and earned his MD from Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University. All rights reserved. Dr. 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. Prior to joining GH in 2019, Zee fostered a nutrition background as an editor at Cooking Light and is continually developing his grasp of holistic health through collaboration with leading academic experts and clinical care providers. Not only that, but the available vaccines appear to be effective against this variant, especially for those who received a booster shot, Dr. Naik says. Still, omicron presented a shift in common symptoms for many. As per one of the leading professors in the UK, cases of Stealth Omicron show symptoms of the gut. Log in to our website to save your bookmarks. "While we're waiting for data to come in, I would expect that somebody who has just had, if you knew that it was Omicron, you would probably be unlikely to get Omicron again for the next few months based on what we've seen previously. Is Nausea a Sign of a COVID-19 Infection? WHO, XBB.1.16 Initial Risk Assessment (April 17, 2023), XBB.1.5: A new Covid variant spreads across the US. Again, here in Illinois, we are seeing these rising cases and a context of much lower cases than we had seen in the winter. She noted that these symptoms may only reflect certain populations. iPhone or Tracking XE Dr. Rohatsch says, If you are up to date with your vaccines, including the bivalent booster released last Fall, you do not need an additional shot right now. The major variants are named according to the Greek alphabetAlpha, Beta, Delta and now Omicron.. Despite BA.2 being labeled a subvariant of Omicron, there are still significant differences in the genetic makeup of the variants. Symptoms of infection don't appear to be any different so far from the original omicron strain. "There's four unique mutations in the spike protein that are distinct in BA.2, and different from BA.1. By using Solv, you accept ouruse of cookies. "It does have increased transmission capability," Fauci saidSunday on ABC's "This Week." What are the symptoms of Stealth Omicron? increases its ability to transmit infections, https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/21042023xbb.1.16ra-v2.pdf?sfvrsn=84577350_1, https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#variant-proportions, https://www.solvhealth.com/blog/xbb15-what-do-you-need-to-know, https://www.who.int/multi-media/details/who-press-conference-on-covid-19-and-other-global-health-issues-29-march-2023, https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/72/wr/mm7205e1.htm?s_cid=mm7205e1_w, https://www.thequint.com/fit/arcturus-xbb-116-covid-variant-symptoms-cases-in-india, https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html, https://abcnews.go.com/US/video/new-covid-19-variant-arcturus-rise-us-98800298, https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/coronavirus-covid-19-update-fda-authorizes-changes-simplify-use-bivalent-mrna-covid-19-vaccines, https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/faq.html. According to The Daily Express, there are seven symptoms U.K. researchers have already associated with the new stealth Omicron variant: fever, extreme fatigue, coughing, sore throat, sore head, muscular fatigue, and an elevated heart rate. He also serves on several boards and chairs The TJ Lobraico Foundation. One of the things that's amazing about this virus is the different problems people have come in with, Dr. Crum said. According to the CDC, COVID cases had fallen 20 percent in the last two weeks, despite Omicron's dominance. "This may mean higher peak infections in places that have yet to peak, and a slowdown in the downward trends in places that have already experienced peak Omicron,"Thomas Peacock, PhD, a virologist at Imperial College London, explain to The New York Times. Dr. Rohatsch brings his extensive background in multi-site ambulatory medicine operations, on-demand healthcare, and consumerism to Solv, where he helps drive strategic initiatives in a cross functional executive role. 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. All rights reserved, I-55 Shut Down in Both Directions Due to Large Crash' Amid Dust Storm in South-Central Illinois, Tickets to Soldier Field Face-Off Between Chelsea and Dortmund Go on Sale, Portillo's Adds New Menu Item to Restaurants Nationwide and It's Now Available, How Much Could You Get in New $725M Facebook Settlement? It's expected that more data will be made available to U.S. healthcare providers soon, as BA.2 accounts for about 50% of new COVID-19 cases in Denmark and has become the dominant strain in India, per CNN. Omicron has branched into three lineages, explains Thomas Russo, M.D., professor and chief of infectious disease at the University at Buffalo in New York: BA.1, BA.2, and BA.3. What will happen with this in the next few weeks? Omicron BA.2 stealth variant: Do you need to worry about the dominant strain sweeping across the U.S? 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. And the answer's going to be, yes, she said. This subvariant has also started spreading rather rapidly. Researchers have been working to pinpoint common signs of the Omicron variant over the last few months. The BA.2 subvariant has been referred to as stealth Omicron because it contains genetic mutations that can make it harder to distinguish from the Delta variant using PCR tests compared to the original Omicron variant. Data released in late January showed BA.2 to be 33% more infections than BA.1 among a . Dr. Edwards clarifies that its nickname isn't tied to how quickly it spreads, as there isn't enough data to confirm if BA.2 spreads faster than the original BA.1 just yet.