Coronavirus: This Omicron symptom may linger on even after recovery

The World Health Organization (WHO) recently said that the Omicron variant has entered 171 countries and may over time replace the Delta as the most dominant strain. Additionally, the global health agency advises people to not take the variant lightly or think of it as akin to a mild common cold, as it may cause some severe health challenges if not taken seriously.

That said, amid rising COVID-19 cases, it is crucial to be more mindful of our actions and beware of all the symptoms associated with the virus and its new variants.

Also Read: Coronavirus: How Omicron symptoms differ from Delta and previous COVID variants

According to the new data from the ZOE Covid Study App, lower back pain is one of the eight new symptoms of the Omicron variant. The symptom was reported early on after the variant was detected in South Africa. The Washington Post reported that doctors suggested seeing more patients with muscle aches that were manifesting as lower back pain in the Omicron patients.

What's worse is that this symptom lingers on even after a person has tested negative.

While Omicron symptoms may be mild, the possibilities of long COVID cannot be crossed out, leading experts have said.

Although many experts have come to the fore suggesting that the new variant is mild and may cause symptoms that resemble a mild cold or a flu, leading health agencies and top doctors have warned against reaching any conclusion. The WHO busted the same misconception and said, "Omicron is not like a common cold because it is more likely than a cold to land you in hospital and some people have already died as a result of it. "It is also expected that people who have been infected from Omicron and recover are also at risk of developing so-called long Covid conditions," the health agency added.

The Omicron variant is said to be highly transmissible, but milder as compared to the Delta. Symptoms such as a mild fever, scratchy throat, extreme body pain, night sweats, runny nose, sneezing, vomiting and loss of appetite are said to indicate the presence of Omicron in the body.

Earlier, Dr Angelique Coetzee, Chairperson of the South African Medical Association, who also happens to be the first person to discover the Omicron variant in South Africa, said that the patients being diagnosed with the variant show no signs of loss of smell and/or taste.

Additionally, among the infected Omicron patients, there have been no cases of a stuffy, clogged nose, or a very high temperature, she said.

As far as COVID-19 and its variants are concerned, being vigilant is extremely important. Noting the symptoms as they occur, monitoring them and isolating until you get your test results are some of the basic measures you must take during these unprecedented times.

Furthermore, people should not be negligent after recovery. Even if you test negative, feel better, your body is still in the recovery phase and needs more time to revive its energy. During this time, doctors advise taking rest, eating the right foods and staying hydrated. Avoid strenuous work or exercising beyond your capacity. This may strain the body and lead to post-COVID complications.