Narayana Health Care
  • Cardiology
  • Gastroenterology
  • Nephrology
  • Neurology
  • Oncology
  • Book An Appointment
    • Video Consultation
    • Physical Consultation
  • English
    • Hindi
    • Bengali
Narayana Health Care
  • Cardiology
  • Gastroenterology
  • Nephrology
  • Neurology
  • Oncology
  • Book An Appointment
    • Video Consultation
    • Physical Consultation
  • English
    • Hindi
    • Bengali
Home > Blog > Coronavirus > Omicron variant
Coronavirus

Omicron variant

by Narayana Health December 17, 2021
written by Narayana Health December 17, 2021
Omicron variant

There is a lot of apprehensions associated with the Omicron variant. Most of this anxiety is due to the lack of information available. Though a lot of research is still undergoing to understand the Omicron variant, in this blog, we will try to answer some of the most common questions people have about this variant.

So firstly, we try to understand Omicron.

Omicron is the latest variant of the coronavirus. According to World Health Organization, the Omicron variant (B.1.1.529) is a variant of concern because it mutates very rapidly.

Is Omicron a cause of concern?

As we know, coronavirus mutates continuously. With every mutation, a new variant emerges. WHO classified these variants into two categories:

  • A variant of concern (VOC): It includes the Alpha, Beta, Gamma, and Delta variants of the coronavirus.
  • A variant of interest (VOI): Under this category, World Health Organization placed the Eta, Iota, Kappa, and Lambda variants of coronavirus.

Variants classified under a variant of concern are rapidly transmissible from one person to another and with a higher fatality rate, and the overall effectiveness of the treatment is comparatively less.

Omicron is the fifth variant of concern because it is mutating very rapidly. Till now, more than 30 mutations are being recognized in Omicron.

The first patient of Omicron was detected in South Africa. In India, the first case of the Omicron variant was reported in Karnataka.

Symptoms of Omicron virus:

We know that the Omicron is a relatively new variant of the coronavirus.

Many studies and research are still undergoing to understand the symptoms of the Omicron and to understand the difference between Omicron and other variants. Some symptoms associated with the Omicron virus,

Including but not limited to are:

  • Low-grade fever
  • Pain and itchiness in the throat
  • Cough
  • Loss of taste and smell (less common)
  • General weakness and tiredness
  • Headache
  • Severe body pain which interferes in any work
  • Diarrhea
  • Skin rashes

Various research has shown that Omicron strikes on person’s immune system. It may also cause reinfection in people who have already recovered from the COVID-19 disease.

Can two doses of the COVID-19 vaccination prevent a person from contracting Omicron?

Vaccination has played a crucial role in controlling the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. Though people can get corona infection even after vaccination, the severity of the disease is relatively low in the vaccinated ones.

The efficiency of vaccination on Omicron is still being analysed.

According to many types of research, vaccines ensure additional protection against severe disease.

Is the Omicron variant riskier than the Delta variant?

Based on certain studies, Omicron is relatively less severe than the delta variant. The need for hospitalization is less in Omicron infection.

Though scientists and doctors are still trying to get a complete picture of the severity of Omicron, studies till now suggest that Omicron is a less severe and very rapidly transmissible variant. But the reinfection rate is higher for the Omicron variant of the coronavirus.

What precautions should we take to protect ourselves from the Omicron variant?

With the increase in the number of reported cases, we need to take extra precautions to prevent ourselves, from getting infected. The measures for prevention remain the same as for the other variants of coronavirus. For proper protection, people should not compromise the recommended precautions and guidelines announced by our government.

The mandatory precautions we should follow are:

  • Wear mask appropriately
  • Maintain social distancing
  • Follow proper sanitization practices
  • Maintain proper hygiene
  • Avoid contacting your eyes and mouth repeatedly
  • Take both dosages of covid vaccination
  • Have proper ventilation in working areas
  • Avoid crowded places

Dr. Ranganatha | Consultant – Pulmonology | Mazumdar Shaw Medical Center, Bommasandra, Bangalore

Coronaviruscovidcovid infectionCOVID-19COVID-19 infectionOmicronOmicron variantOmicron virus symptoms
0 comment
0
FacebookTwitterPinterestWhatsapp
previous post
Post Natal Discharge Instructions
next post
Detox – You Think You Need It?

You may also like

Omicron Subvariant – BA.2.75

August 8, 2022

Allergies or COVID-19: A Symptom Checker for Kids

July 18, 2022

Norovirus

June 22, 2022

Third-wave and its implications

February 26, 2022

Difference Between RT-PCR Test and Rapid Antigen Test

February 8, 2022

Why do we need the Booster Shot of...

January 25, 2022

Helping your child with vaccine fear & anxiety

January 19, 2022

Revised guidelines for home isolation

January 15, 2022

15 ways to save your kids from Coronavirus

September 15, 2021

COVID-19 vaccines: Safety, side effects and more

June 13, 2021

QUICK LINKS

Book an Appointment

Find a Doctor

Hospitals

Medical Services

About NH

Narayana Health

Narayana Health is headquartered in Bengaluru, India, and operates a network of hospitals across the country, with a particularly strong presence in the southern state of Karnataka and eastern India, as well as an emerging presence in northern, western and central India. Our first facility was established in Bengaluru with approximately 225 operational beds and we have since grown to 23 hospitals, 7 heart centres, 19 primary care facilities across India and an international hospital in the Cayman Islands.

Keep In Touch

Facebook Twitter Instagram Linkedin Youtube Telegram

Popular Posts

  • 1

    Boosting your Immune System against Coronavirus: How to minimize the risk of...

    April 2, 2020
  • 2

    How to maintain a Balanced Diet

    September 3, 2019
  • 3

    Coronavirus Testing – How to Test for Coronavirus? – Different Types of Tests

    March 13, 2020
  • 4

    Know about proper usage, disposal and reuse of mask

    April 6, 2020

Categories

  • Aids (5)
  • Bengali (1)
  • Blood Pressure (4)
  • Bone Marrow Transplant (12)
  • Breast Cancer (28)
  • Cancer (47)
  • Cardiac Surgery (23)
  • Cardiology (167)
  • Coronavirus (110)
  • Dental Sciences (2)
  • Dermatology (15)
  • Diabetes (37)
  • E. N. T – Paediatric (7)
  • E. N. T. (9)
  • ECMO (1)
  • Endocrinology (11)
  • Gastroenterology (34)
  • General Health (127)
  • General Surgery (4)
  • Gynaecology (46)
  • Haematology (5)
  • Health Nuggets (44)
  • Healthy Life (2)
  • Hepatology (14)
  • Hindi (7)
  • Infectious Diseases (4)
  • Kidney (5)
  • Liver (30)
  • Medical Oncology (1)
  • Mental Health (4)
  • Narayana Health (243)
  • Nephrology (34)
  • Neurology (103)
  • Neurosurgery (30)
  • News (6)
  • NH services (6)
  • Nutrition and Diet (27)
  • Oncology (108)
  • Organ Donation (1)
  • Orthopaedics (102)
  • Paediatric Cardiology (11)
  • Paediatric Liver Transplant (1)
  • Paediatric Oncology (3)
  • Paediatric Surgery (4)
  • Paediatrics (77)
  • Pain & Palliative Care (4)
  • Pregnancy (9)
  • Psychology (5)
  • Pulmonology (34)
  • Radiation Oncology (8)
  • Rheumatology (4)
  • Services (3)
  • Spine Surgery (30)
  • Stroke (7)
  • Swine Flu (1)
  • Transplant (1)
  • Urology (38)
  • Vascular Surgery (10)

Follow us

QUICK LINKS

Find a Doctor

Book an Appointment

Make an Enquiry

Feedback

Hospitals

Blogs

Privilege card

Heart Rhythm Disorder

NH CARES

Hernia

Lung Cancer

Brain Tumour

Liver Cancer

Heart Attack

Urinary Problems

Heart Transplant

Kidney Transplant

Bone Marrow Transplant

Pulmonary Hypertension

CENTRES OF EXCELLENCE

Liver Transplant & HPB Surgery

Cardiology

Cardiac Surgery

Neurology

Neurosurgery

Orthopaedics

Robotic Surgery

Vascular Surgery

Nephrology

Radiation Oncology

MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS

Academics

Clinical Research

NH Colleges

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER

Subscribe to our Newsletter for new blog posts, tips & new photos. Let's stay updated!

About Narayana Health

|

Stakeholder Relations

|

News & Media Relations

|

Awards and Accreditations

|

Leadership

|

Careers

|

CSR

|

Sitemap

© Narayana Hrudayalaya Ltd | All rights reserved
NPPA Implant Pricing     Terms & Conditions     Privacy Policy     Disclaimer

Book Online Consultation