Top 6 most reported symptoms of COVID during Omicron wave

During the last three years, Covid-19 underwent many changes and mutations. Although the symptoms of Covid-19 have changed quite a bit during this duration, the impact of the Omicron variant has remained mild compared to the Delta variant. This might be the case due to multiple reasons, including the fact that the virus has become milder and that most of the population has been vaccinated at least once. The incubation period of the Omicron variant is much lower than any of the previous variants (around three and a half days).

"While the loss of smell was the most known symptom in the earlier variant, common symptoms with the Omicron variant include a painful sore throat that lasts for around five days. This symptom has been noticed in almost 50 per cent of patients who got Covid-19 from the Omicron variant," says Dr Sanjith Saseedharan, Consultant and Head Critical Care, SL Raheja Hospital, Mahim.

With Omicron an unrelenting fatigue has also been noticed. This fatigue is known to persist even beyond recovery from the illness.

A blocked nose and upper respiratory tract infection features, including non-productive cough, are also relatively standard, though not as much as a sore throat. Many patients have also complained about severe sneezing episodes, a runny nose, and hoarseness of voice. Additionally, chills at any time of the day.

A peculiar symptom not seen in the previous variants but only in Omicron is a severe headache. This headache could sometimes last for three days, and a person suffering from it would rarely recover through regular tablets like paracetamol.

Additionally, nausea, diarrhea, fever, and loss of smell, common in the earlier variants, are infrequent, although a few patients still have these symptoms. A few patients have also reported chest pain which can be cured with rest and simple analgesics.

Further, a few patients have also complained of forgetfulness as they cannot recall names or do simple mental tasks for a few minutes, which has been termed brain fog.

Overall, although the current symptoms are mild, the highly infectious rate of the virus is worrisome. As no one can predict the future of this virus, it is highly recommended that everyone keeps following appropriate Covid behaviour especially if they belong to the vulnerable population, including the elderly, the immunosuppressed patients and those with comorbidities