Why omicron variant patients are experiencing ‘different’ symptoms compared to each other

The omicron variant has created numerous signs in sufferers, elevating questions on how the virus could seem in people.

Illustration by Alex Cochran, Deseret Information

The omicron variant remains to be new sufficient that docs are nonetheless utilizing anecdotal information to elucidate what’s taking place to COVID-19 sufferers. And, in lots of circumstances, docs and well being officers are seeing totally different omicron variant signs in numerous sufferers.

What’s taking place: A number of readers of MPR Information not too long ago requested Dr. Melanie Swift, co-chairwoman of Mayo Clinic’s COVID-19 Vaccine Allocation and Distribution Work Group, concerning the omicron coronavirus variant, the COVID-19 vaccine and associated matters.

• One individual requested in the event that they have been going to lose their sense of style and odor from the omicron variant, or if that was merely an indication of the delta variant.

Lack of style and odor has been a symptom of all earlier COVID-19 variants, Swift mentioned. However there may be nonetheless a lot unknown about omicron.

• “Apparently — and that is nonetheless anecdotal info that we're compiling and observing — there are some totally different displays that we’ve seen in omicron,” she mentioned.
• “One is sort of a milder cold-like syndrome, very very similar to earlier variants however just a little bit milder and sometimes with out that lack of style and odor that was actually attribute of COVID earlier than omicron. One other presentation that we’re seeing is extra of a gastrointestinal sickness — and a few of these sufferers really don’t have any respiratory signs in any respect.”

The larger image: Certainly, abdomen issues have turn into a typical omicron variant symptom. Well being officers in Alabama not too long ago warned sufferers that they could expertise abdomen bugs and gastrointestinal signs after an infection.

• “With delta, the higher respiratory signs have been very extreme. It was within the lung. Sufferers would have pneumonia, respiratory failure and would go on a ventilator,” mentioned Dr. Invoice Admire, with Infirmary Well being, in keeping with WPMI-TV. “However with omicron, sufferers with gastrointestinal issues are flaring up and having extra signs.”