Muscle pain is a common signs of omicron variants
The Omicron variant has spread across the globe and is possibly the cause of most of the new cases of coronavirus infection at present. Even though it is mild, due to the high transmissibility, it is spreading at a faster pace. Due to its overlapping signs with a common cold, sometimes it becomes difficult to identify the infection, leading to delays in treatment. As per data, Omicron infection does not even lead to respiratory issues in most cases. It leads to subtle signs and can be identified if you experience pain at these two body parts.
The common symptoms of Omicron variant
Muscle aches have been a common symptom of coronavirus. Even in case of the Omicron variant, people experience muscle pain and tightness. As per doctors in South Africa, where the Omicron cases were first reported, at the beginning, most people came to them with complaints of muscle ache known as myalgia. Based on the data collected during the rise of Omicron cases across the globe, most people experience mild respiratory symptoms along with severe muscle pain. Runny nose, body aches, chest pain, backache and fatigue are commonly associated with the Omicron variant.
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Two places where you can feel the pain
The two most common areas where people feel pain in case of Omicron variant are - the legs and shoulders. In the past two years, we have come to realise that the coronavirus can affect any part of the body, but in case of Omicron, legs and shoulders are commonly affected areas. As per the U.K. Zoe COVID Study App, people who complain about muscle aches during Omicron mostly feel it in the legs and shoulders.
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How does the pain feel like
The Omicron virus led pain can manifest in a variety of ways, but most of the time it is characterized by widespread aching that can come and go till the time you do not recover from the infection. Some people infected with the Omicron variant also complain about odd feelings like numbness or pins and needles and weakness in the legs. In case of shoulders, the patients mostly felt pain, stiffness, numbness. Weakness in the legs and shoulders can also be a telltale sign of the Omicron variant.
Why is muscle pain common in case of Omicron?
Experts believe that muscle ache is a common symptom in case of viral infection and coronavirus is no exception. But the rise in cases of body pain can be due to multiple factors. It can be due to inflammatory mediators or maybe the mutant variant is affecting the musculoskeletal system more than the previous variant. When the virus affects the musculoskeletal system, it commonly affects muscles, bones, joints, and ligaments, leading to aches and pains. Even though body ache is so common in case of the Omicron variant, it is not considered as the top five symptoms of viral infection. Runny nose, headache, fatigue, sneezing, and sore throat are initial symptoms of Omicron you must look out for.