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Covid-19: This is a gamble and not a plan
BMJ 2022; 376 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.o71 (Published 13 January 2022)
Cite this as: BMJ 2022;376:o71
Re: Covid-19: This is a gamble and not a plan
Dear Editor
Symptoms of Omicron are “very, very mild” compared with those of the Delta variant.
Unlike in other variants, patients with Omicron infection have not reported loss of smell or taste and there has been no major drop in oxygen levels with the new variant.
The following are symptoms of Omicron:
A. Cough, cold and fever are common symptoms of Covid, be it Omicron or Delta.
Pulmonary alveolar involvement by Delta induces a dry cough, which is common in Delta infection.
Tracheo bronchitis of Omicron causes secretions not seen with Delta. So a Sore throat with mild secretions is seen with Omicron infection.
Often patients do not expectorate the secretions but may just swallow.
B. Sore throat is a very common symptom of Omicron, not so much of Delta, but it may happen sometimes.
C. Headache, tiredness, body pain are apparently more prominent symptoms of Omicron infection than of Delta.
D. Breathing problems are a very rare symptom of Omicron but very common in Delta.
E. General upper respiratory symptoms (cold, cough, sore throat) plus prominent gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea) along with fever, tiredness muscle pain in the lower back and lower limbs are the common symptoms of Omicron.
So self limiting Fever for a couple of days, a lot of body ache, sore throat, tiredness and occasionally loose bowel motions may be the symptoms of Omicron infection.
The symptoms have evolved because of the mutation that the virus has undergone. Also, the symptoms vary from person to person, depending on their immunity, vaccination status. Symptoms only offer clues and are not sure-shot ways to know about the infection.
Omicron has departed from the traditional Covid symptoms as loss of smell and taste and breathing troubles are rarely present in Omicron cases. Scratchy throat and some other common cold and flu-like symptoms have been associated with Omicron. The absence of respiratory problems has made Omicron appear less severe.
So rest at home with an adequate immune boosting diet with or without symptomatic treatment may help to relieve symptoms.
So to avoid COVID-19 or Delta or Omicron infection it is better to get vaccinated against COVID-19 infections along with wearing of masks, social distancing and frequent hand washing.
Competing interests: No competing interests
17 January 2022
M.A. Aleem
Emeritus Professor of Neurology * Visiting Specialist in Neurology ** Consultant Neurologist ***
The Tamilnadu Dr.M.G.R. Medical University * Dhanalakshami Srinivasan Medical College ** ABC Hospital ***
Chennai 600032* Perambalure 621212** Trichy 620018*** Tamilnadu India
@drmaaleem
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