What doctors wish patients knew about the BA.2 Omicron subvariant 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. 'Stealth Omicron' Covid symptoms that could confirm infection before Dr. According to the CDC data, XBB.1.16 is now 9% of the total COVID cases in the United States and is found in over 20 states. 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. Heres what you need to know about this latest development in the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. Look Out For THESE Stealth Omicron Symptoms That Show - TheHealthSite And then the other question is, will we get yet another variant thats going to supplant BA.2 thats going to start up in the future and how impactful will these future variants be? she added. He has written about food and dining for Time, among other publications. In honor of Older Americans Month (May 1-31, 2023), the AMA celebrates senior physician members (ages 65 years and above). 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. What Is BA.2, the 'Stealth Omicron' Variant - Stealth Omicron Symptoms Patients can also have gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea, and loss of taste or loss of smell, although Ive seen that a lot less with the newer variants, she said, noting that symptoms for BA.2 may also include muscle or body aches, headache, nausea or vomiting, and congestion. "I would also predict that there would be significant protection with BA.2 if you had BA.1. Find possible causes of symptoms and get recommendations on what to do next. Learn more. Informally, some researchers are calling the new variant "stealth Omicron" because it lacks the deletion that allows PCR tests to spot it. Even though COVID-19 is a respiratory disease, the symptoms of one of its variants called Stealth Omicron or BA.2 may appear in the gut. "We will have to wait and see what exactly that means," said Dr. Rachael Lee, an associate professor of infectious disease and a health care epidemiologist at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. That means vaccination, having COVID or both. What Is BA.2, the So-Called Stealth Omicron Variant? Officials and members gather to elect officers and address policy at the 2023 AMA Annual Meeting being held in Chicago, June 9-14, 2023. 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. .css-1pm21f6{display:block;font-family:AvantGarde,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;font-weight:normal;margin-bottom:0.3125rem;margin-top:0;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}@media (any-hover: hover){.css-1pm21f6:hover{color:link-hover;}}@media(max-width: 48rem){.css-1pm21f6{font-size:1rem;line-height:1.3;}}@media(min-width: 40.625rem){.css-1pm21f6{font-size:1rem;line-height:1.3;}}@media(min-width: 64rem){.css-1pm21f6{font-size:1.125rem;line-height:1.3;}}Foods That Help With Bloating, Small Changes That Can Help Your Heart Health, Christie Brinkley Has Toned Legs in Pantsless Pic, AHA Says These Are the Best Diets for Your Heart, Jennifer Grey Opens Up About Bad Anxiety. When the Omicron subvariant BA.2 was first reported, the media dubbed it a "stealth" variant because it was hard to detect and track. Its moniker comes from the fact that certain lab tests can't register BA.2 as entirely unique in its genetic structure at first, according to CNN. The NHS explained: "These may come and go throughout the day. 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. The good news is that many places in the United States continue to report decreased or very low rates of cases and hospitalizations, Dr. Crum said. BA.1, aka the Omicron that people have largely been tracking, is missing one of three target genes that are used in a standard PCR test, Dr. Russo explains. The NHS explained: "These may come and go throughout the day. The five most common Omicron symptoms, as reported by the ZOE Covid study, are as follows: Runny nose Headache Fatigue (mild or severe) Sneezing Sore throat Is stealth Omicron dangerous?. 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. } The two most reported symptom of patients infected by the Stealth Omicron variant is -dizziness and fatigue. Our content is fact checked by our senior editorial staff to reflect accuracy and ensure our readers get What to know about BA.2, the newest Covid omicron variant - NBC News Our members are the frontline of patient care, expanding access to care for underserved patients and developing key prevention strategies. In the first few days, we had a sequence, the sequence itself was terrifying, but it took time before we could find out if Omicron would be more pathogenic and infectious.". I don't see this moving the dial significantly in terms of posing a new, huge problem.". "By far, most of what we are seeing is BA.2," Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady said Thursday. He claims a director asked him to undress. And Omicron's BA.2 subvariant might not be much different. Issue briefs summarize key health policy issues by providing concise and digestible content for both relevant stakeholders and those who may know little about the topic. Known officially as BA.2, the subtype has small variations. Experts Explain How the 'Stealth' Omicron Variant May Impact COVID-19 Headache. Even though BA.2 is labelled a subvariant of Omicron, its genetic make-up is quite different from the latter. COVID Etiquette Tips: How to Plan Stress-free Springtime Gatherings. "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.". White House chief medical advisor Dr. Anthony Fauci said BA.2 is about 50% to 60% more transmissible than omicron, but it does not appear to be more severe. If youre 50 or older and its been at least four months since your last booster, or if you have a compromised immune system, you are eligible for another mRNA booster to increase protection against severe disease from COVID-19. This site uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. Those mutations are shared with the original omicron, but BA.2 also has additional genetic changes not seen in the initial version. 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. 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. For some people, coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms that clear up in a couple weeks. This difference also may be why BA.2 escaped attention earlier. 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. Therefore, various cases of Stealth Omicron lead to stomach issues instead of. It may seem like the world will never return to the normal we once knew in the before times, and Dr. Naik says thats not that far off from the truth. This year, were finally heading into the spring season with optimism and fresh energy. 6 Things to know about Omicron BA.4 and BA.5. Dr. Crum noted that most experts say its 30% to 60% more transmissible, so its a riskespecially if it gets into a nonimmune populationto be able to skyrocket in terms of the number of cases. Download AMA Connect app for WHO, XBB.1.16 Initial Risk Assessment (April 17, 2023), XBB.1.5: A new Covid variant spreads across the US. What is stealth Omicron? Symptoms and how it's different from other People Are Saying COVID Could Become Endemic But What Does That Mean? Back to School 2022: Tips to protect your kids from Omicron BA.5. The German-based GISAID Initiative indicates that BA.2 cases in the U.S. have remained at 100 cases in 20 different states as of this week, based on its public data. Those include: Anecdotal reports have suggested that dizziness could be a possible symptom, but they are so far unfounded. And while numbers in the country are still on the lower side, some virus experts have expressed concern that BA.2 could stall the progress that is being made in the U.S. One of the things that's amazing about this virus is the different problems people have come in with, Dr. Crum said. a booster shot) than after the second dose, though effectiveness appeared to wane after four months, which may possibly later signal a need for another booster dose in the future. As BA.2 subvariant of Omicron rises, lab studies point to signs - CNN 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. 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. 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. The top 5 symptoms in both periods were: runny nose. Explained: What is stealth Omicron variant - Times of India Emilia Benton is a Houston-based freelance writer and editor. Stealth Omicron Symptoms: Sore Throat, Elevated Heart Rate and Other Symptoms to Watch Out For! The two most reported symptom of patients infected by the Stealth Omicron variant is -dizziness and fatigue. Viruses, malware and hackers pose a threat to patients and physician practices. Experts Explain, Your Favorite Fried Food Could Be Causing Anxiety. RELATED: This One Symptom Could Be Your First Sign of Omicron, Doctors Warn. 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. Scientists are keeping an eye on it, but there's no reason to panic. 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. 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? Oops! "Last week in Denmark, BA.2 was about 60 percent of the cases. Talk to a licensed provider if you need to receive treatment for COVID. ae0fcc31ae342fd3a1346ebb1f342fcb. document.addEventListener( 'DOMContentLoaded', function() { Despite BA.2 being labeled a subvariant of Omicron, there are still significant differences in the genetic makeup of the variants. In this Overcoming Obstacles webinar, experts will discuss the nuances of caring for geriatric patients and the importance of addressing their mental and behavioral health needs as they age. According to experts, this is actually referring to a new omicron variant that has proven to frequently be mistaken for the Delta variant via PCR testing. } ); "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. Were seeing very low rates of positivity for coronavirus right now and were actually seeing more influenza, said Dr. Crum. This means there has been a break from some of the earlier tell-tale COVID symptoms like loss of smell or taste and shortness of breath. In a lot of ways, it's a bad cold, a lot of respiratory symptoms, stuffy nose, coughing, body aches and fatigue," said Dr.. The only way to protect ourselves is by getting vaccinated and following all the Covid norms with due diligence. It's no secret that health experts have detected that Omicron-fueled infections may have shorter incubation times compared to earlier strains but it's also too soon to tell if "stealth" Omicron has an even more abridged incubation period. In fact, a lot of the data that's emerging is that it's more common in patients who have mild COVID to develop long COVID. 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 . Dr. Crum is also an alternate delegate in the AMA House of Delegates for the Infectious Diseases Society of America. So even if you have stealth omicron variant symptoms, you might not necessarily test positive for the stealth omicron variant. The sub-variant has quickly earned a moniker the "stealth" Omicron variant as officials begin to learn more about its unique characteristics, explains Karen Edwards, Ph.D., professor and chair of epidemiology and biostatistics at the University of California, Irvine School of Medicine. Some of these fall in line with tell-tale Omicron symptoms. What are the symptoms of BA.2? 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. The BA.2 virus - a subvariant of the Omicron coronavirus variant - isn't just spreading faster than its distant cousin, it may also cause more severe disease and appears capable of thwarting some. Two years into the pandemic, a mutated version of the omicron variant, known as BA.2, has become the latest challenge to taming Covid-19. Effective 3/13/23, ARC transitions to optional masking for our staff and physicians, with required masking during specific situations. 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 Yes, but: The "stealth" variant of the omicron variant could be harder to track, per The Guardian. Find tips to protect patient health records and other data from cyberattacks. Based on the CDCs genomic surveillance, the BA.2 or stealth Omicron subvariant is responsible for most new SARS-CoV-2 infections in the U.S. BA.2 is a subvariant of the original SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant(B.1.1.529), along with BA.1.1 and BA.3. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 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. Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing. A government notice said that police permission would be required for people to leave the area or travel from one city to another. In case you cant find any email from our side, please check the spam folder. RELATED: These 4 New COVID Symptoms Could Mean You Have Omicron, Doctors Warn. A Sore Throat Could Be Your First Sign of Omicron Best Life We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. 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). They also have BA.1 but it looks like BA.2 is replacing BA.1," Luban told the news outlet. This subvariant seems closely related to XBB.1.15, the Omicron subvariant that dominated late last year and early 2023. The Arcturus variant is spreading faster than previous ones and may evade our immunity even if you have been sick with the XBB 1.15. COVID-19 Omicron Subvariant Presents 2 New Symptoms: Report Solv recommends staying informed so you can protect yourself and your loved ones. Typically the conjunctivitis is associated with other COVID symptoms as well, and does not present alone. How to protect yourself. This has led to more questions. 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. Knowing the signs of the stealth variant can help to detect the condition faster and take the right steps to avoid complications. The BA.2 Omicron subvariant is now the dominant version of COVID-19 in the U.S. Public health officials and scientists are closely monitoring BA.2, which has been described as a "stealth" variantbecause it has genetic mutations that could make it harder to distinguish from. 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. But others caution against worrying over it too much. While this particular variant is more widespread in Europe, South Asia, South Africa and India at the moment, she expects that U.S. officials may soon learn that BA.2 is more widespread than originally thought in due time. People are really concerned because: oneyes, it's here in the United States, and twoyes, it's caused outbreaks in other countries. What Are Symptoms of 'Stealth' Omicron or BA.2 as Subvariant Now These are the new COVID signs you should be looking out for now. As the new variant is a sub-lineage of Omicron, it can therefore be expected that . But still notable and important to point out". "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. Additionally, the FDA recently approved a second booster shot for people who are above 65 or have compromised immunity.. We adhere to structured guidelines for sourcing information and linking to other resources, including Predicting anything at this stage would be incorrect and may mislead others. Bestlifeonline.com is part of the Dotdash Meredith Publishing Family. One analysis of BA.2 conducted by the British government found that the variant is spreading faster than BA.1 because its more transmissible. fatigue (mild or severe) sneezing. 'Stealth' omicron variant BA.2: Here's what you need to know All rights reserved. sound information and advice to make the smartest, healthiest choices. Covid 4th wave: New BA.2 variant can impact stomach and intestine, say As BA.2 Variant Spreads, Here Are What Symptoms to Watch For But experts say Omicron is unlikely to present it this way and have highlighted some symptoms that you should never ignore. That progress, however, plateaued right as cases of BA.2 increased in circulation. Here's what you can expect if you experience a breakthrough infection. The 6 stealth Omicron symptoms that you must never ignore "It's like when Omicron first hit. Data suggests the vaccines are protective against BA.1 and BA.2. Mild fever, sore throat, malaise and body ache,. That is why its important to have people protected not just for the short-term illness, but from the issues that people can have for months and maybe even years after having COVID-19.. Looking for cold-like symptoms can help keep you and others protected this holiday season. Stealth omicron: New 'stealth' omicron variant, BA.2, has arrived in the US, but don't panic, experts say. I verify that Im in the U.S. and agree to receive communication from the AMA or third parties on behalf of AMA. Stealth Omicron represented only 9% of infections, and BA.4 represented just over 11% of infections. Its more contagious, but not more severe. Read on to find out what you should be watching out for when it comes to this new version of the virus. 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. The city has seen its case metrics climbing in recent weeks. Mild or severe fatigue. var xhr = new XMLHttpRequest(); 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 . Solv can help you book same-day appointments and urgent care visits with a provider near you. What To Know About BA.2, the 'Stealth' Omicron Variant "It's not like this variant has increased ability to evade vaccine-induced immunity," Thomas Russo, MD, professor and chief of infectious disease at the University at Buffalo in New York, told Prevention. One of the biggest concerns among health experts when it comes to BA.2 is the wrench it could throw into a swift exit from the omicron wave. The National Health Commission in China reported 1,337 locally transmitted cases in the latest 24-hour period, including 895 in the industrial province of Jilin. With expert resources and tireless advocacy, the AMA is your powerful ally against COVID-19. All Rights Reserved. It seems that these mutations will propel the transmissibility to about a 30% to 50% higher degree of contagiousness than the BA.1 variant," said Dr. Gregory Huhn, an infectious disease physician and the COVID-19 vaccine coordinator for Cook County Health. The subvariant, detected in at least 57 . Also, you may have to take time off work and risk infecting your loved ones. Is it the right decision for you? The three main symptoms of Covid-19, according to the NHS, are a new persistent cough, high temperature and loss of taste and smell. The concern is that even though our COVID-19 rates are super low right nowat least where I workcould this variant or the variant after this one take off and cause increasing numbers of cases, hospitalizations and deaths again? said Dr. Crum. 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. Explained: Stealth Omicron Subvariant, its Symptoms, Cases, and Death Rate The AMAsWhat Doctors Wish Patients Knew series provides physicians with a platform to share what they want patients to understand about todays health care headlines, especially throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. headache. Stealth Omicron or BA.2 affects the gut rather than the nose, leading to many problems related to the digestive system. 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. In this article. Take a COVID test if you begin to experience COVID-like symptoms. 5 Reasons You Are Feeling Tired All The Time Being de-hydrated - Enough water is the cure of more . Some of the other symptoms experienced are very similar to the other coronaviruses such as febrile illness and respiratory symptoms.. 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. "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. However, as the COVID-19 pandemic rapidly evolves and the scientific communitys understanding of the novel coronavirus develops, some of the information may have changed since it was last updated. Sometimes people say, Oh, if I get COVID, no big deal, but thats a very nave because many of these patients then will develop long term symptoms, which is really horrible and often life-altering Dr. Crum said. I would also predict that there would be significant protection with BA.2 if you had BA.1. Due to its highly contagious nature, it has already spread to several countries and is believed to spike positive cases in the coming days. So, COVID tests can detect Arcturus, and existing COVID treatments work. Always talk to your doctor for professional medical advice. She is the President of Global Insight Advisory Network, and has a Masters degree in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA. Stealth Omicron Variant Is Harder To Detect, Could Be More Contagious The AMA promotes the art and science of medicine and the betterment of public health. MSOP Outreach Leaders: Find all of the information you need for the year, including the leader guide, action plan checklist and more. Review CPT codes for COVID-19 vaccines and immunizations. 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. For others, it may cause no symptoms at all. 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. As far as new symptoms go, you don't have to worry much about stealth omicron. Is omicron subvariant BA.2 to blame for rising Covid cases? - CNBC Rob Rohatsch currently serves as Chief Medical Officer for Solv Health. Read below for the BA.2 variant's symptoms. 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.

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what are the symptoms of stealth omicron