Why omicron lead to common cold like symptoms
Coronavirus as we know first infects our lungs, leading to a range of respiratory related issues. Its signs widely overlap with cold and flu, making it harder to detect the condition in the initial phase. Yet there have been differences in the signs that differentiate between COVID-19 and cold and flu. It is only in Omicron variant that the signs are so closely related to that of a common cold. Several studies carried out across the globe suggest that the infection caused by the recently detected mutant variant in South Africa leads to mild symptoms that are more like a common cold. Here is the reason why it is so.
Also See: How Omicron symptoms differ from Delta and previous COVID variants
Also See: Common symptoms of omicron variant
Also See: Coronavirus: The COVID symptom that is less common in the Omicron wave
Why Omicron leads to common cold-like symptoms
Omicron variant is a mutant version of the original strain of coronavirus first detected in November 2019. In the past two and a half years it has mutated several times due to environmental and other factors. Researches suggest that during the course of mutation, the new variant acquired the snippet of genetic material from the common cold. That means the Omicron variant has a genetic code from the common cold inside of it. For this reason, it leads to symptoms similar to a common cold.
Read more: Is temperature screening for COVID helpful in detecting coronavirus?
What the experts of the study said
As per a report published in Reuters, Venky Soundararajan, who works at the Cambridge, Massachusetts-based data analytics firm Nference and led the study said that it is the presence of a little bit of genetic makeup of the common cold that makes Omicron more transmissible and the one causing mild symptoms.
Even a recent UK-based app study revealed that the Omicron variant leads to mild cold-like symptoms, which makes it difficult to detect particularly in winters. The researchers of the study said that as compared to the previous variant of coronavirus, Omicron symptoms are more like common cold and similar for both vaccinated and unvaccinated. Runny nose, headache, fatigue, sore throat are four fairly common signs of the variant. Chills and fever, loss of smell and taste are occasional symptoms of the mutant variant.
Also read: One symptoms of COVID that may get worse due to overexertion
Difference between COVID and common cold
Even though the symptoms of common cold and coronavirus are similar, the two health conditions are not the same. Both are caused by different viruses. While the common cold is caused by rhinoviruses, COVID-19 is caused by SARS-CoV-2, a coronavirus that first emerged in 2019. The two viruses are genetically distinct from each other in many ways.
Read more: Coronavirus: The COVID symptom that is less common in the Omicron wave
Is Omicron more dangerous than a common cold?
Apart from their root causes, common cold and coronavirus have different levels of severity. Coronavirus infection is much more severe than a common cold and can lead to hospitalisation and even long-term side effects, which is not the case in common cold. People suffering from the common cold typically recover from it in 7 to 10 days. However, in case of coronavirus, the symptoms may linger for months after the initial infection. In the case of some underlying health conditions, it can even lead to hospitalisation and death.
The takeaway
Even though the omicron variant leads to mild cold symptoms it must not be taken lightly. The coronavirus leads to much more severe infection that cold and affects several organs at one time. Carelessness or delay in the treatment may even turn fatal. So, get vaccinated, wear your mask all the time and follow all COVID norms to stay safe.