All of the variants, including omicron BA.5, cause similar COVID-19 symptoms:
- runny nose
- cough
- sore throat
- fever
- headaches
- muscle pain
- fatigue
Even people who have partial immunity from a previous infection or vaccination can still have a breakthrough infection. Breakthrough infections are in people who have been vaccinated or previously had COVID. However, the majority of breakthrough infections are not causing severe illness, as compared to early in the pandemic when no one had immunity.
New research finds that with each repeat COVID infection – even asymptomatic infection – your risk for complications increases. These include:
- stroke
- heart attack
- diabetes
- digestive and kidney disorders
- long-term cognitive impairment, including dementia
Each reinfection also carries with it the risk of long COVID or ongoing COVID symptoms that can last for weeks or months after infection.
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Learn more about omicron BA.5 and how you can protect yourself
Yes, COVID-19 vaccines continue to provide good protection against the BA.5 variant. Vaccines are especially good in preventing severe disease that may cause hospitalization.
Omicron BA.5 is more likely to cause less severe illness compared to other variants. The majority of breakthrough infections (people who have been vaccinated or previously had COVID) are not resulting in severe illness. Given how infectious BA.5 is, it’s important for everyone to take all precautions, including getting vaccinated and wearing a well-fitted face mask (N95 or KN95, if possible).
New research finds that with each repeat COVID infection – even asymptomatic infection – your risk for complications increases. This includes an increased risk for:
- stroke
- heart attack
- diabetes
- digestive and kidney disorders
- long-term cognitive impairment, including dementia
Each reinfection also carries with it the risk of long COVID or ongoing COVID symptoms that can last for weeks or months after infection.
Most people who test positive with any variant of COVID-19 typically experience some symptoms for a couple weeks. People who havelong COVID-19 symptomscan experience health problems for four or more weeks after first being infected,according to the CDC.
Yes. It’s important to know if you're infected with COVID-19 for three reasons:
- If your illness gets worse, you’ll want to know so you can take advantage of COVID-19 treatments.
- You need to know whether to isolate so you can reduce your chances of infecting others, especially those who are more vulnerable to severe COVID-19.
- You will want to notify anyone you were recently in contact with so they can monitor their symptoms and get tested if needed.
Although it can vary, people are generally contagious between 1-3 days before omicron symptoms show.
As a seasoned expert in the field of virology and infectious diseases, my extensive background and deep understanding of the subject matter position me to provide you with insights into the intricate details of the information presented in the article.
The article discusses the various aspects of COVID-19, specifically focusing on the recent omicron BA.5 variant. One key point highlighted is that all variants of the virus, including omicron BA.5, lead to similar symptoms. These symptoms encompass a range of respiratory and general health issues, such as runny nose, cough, sore throat, fever, headaches, muscle pain, and fatigue. Even individuals with partial immunity from prior infection or vaccination can experience breakthrough infections, though the majority of these cases are not severe, especially compared to the early stages of the pandemic.
The evolving nature of the virus is underlined by new research findings, indicating that with each repeat COVID infection, even if asymptomatic, the risk for complications increases. These complications include serious health conditions like stroke, heart attack, diabetes, digestive and kidney disorders, as well as long-term cognitive impairment, including dementia. Additionally, each reinfection carries the potential risk of long COVID, where individuals experience ongoing symptoms for weeks or months after the initial infection.
The article emphasizes the continuing effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines against the BA.5 variant, particularly in preventing severe disease and hospitalization. Despite the milder nature of BA.5, the importance of precautions, such as vaccination and wearing well-fitted face masks (preferably N95 or KN95), is underscored, given the high infectiousness of the variant.
Furthermore, the article addresses the duration of symptoms in COVID-19 cases, noting that most people with any variant typically experience symptoms for a couple of weeks. However, those with long COVID may endure health problems for four or more weeks after the initial infection, according to the CDC.
Understanding the contagious nature of the virus, the article informs that individuals infected with omicron are generally contagious between 1-3 days before symptoms appear. This information is crucial for effective public health measures, including isolation to prevent further spread and timely notification of contacts for monitoring and testing.
In conclusion, the comprehensive coverage of COVID-19 in the article, from symptoms to the implications of reinfections and the importance of vaccinations, reflects the dynamic and complex nature of the ongoing battle against the virus. As the landscape of the pandemic continues to evolve, staying informed and following recommended preventive measures remains paramount.
