British researchers have tracked down a new symptom that has emerged in connection with infections with the Omicron variant. This sign might be particularly noticeable over the Christmas holidays: If one has eaten less than usual of the Christmas dinner, she may have already contracted the pathogen.
Not much is known yet about the new Omicron variant, but scientists now seem to have uncovered another mystery. That’s because the mutation makes itself known through a symptom that had not been noticed in previous variants. Many patients with an Omicron infection suffered from loss of appetite.
Studies: Minimum severity of illness with Omicron
New finding is particularly valuable in asymptomatic cases
British researchers found this out with the help of the ZOE-Corona study. Data from omicron patients who tested positive were compared with those from delta patients in early October. In the latter variant, no loss of appetite had yet occurred. This new information could be particularly helpful in asymptomatic infections when the ill person has no other symptoms.
Other symptoms not previously seen in other variants: Pain all over the body and extreme fatigue. Children in South Africa, where the mutation first appeared, also often noticed an unusual skin rash.
Severe cough and fever becomes rare with infection
In contrast, other signs that were typical of infection, especially at the beginning of the pandemic, are occurring less frequently. For example, losing the sense of taste and smell is less likely. Fever and severe cough are no longer the main symptoms that indicate coronavirus infection, explained study leader Tim Spector.
However, according to the professor, one should be concerned about the following complaints, which had also occurred with the delta variant: a runny nose, headache, fatigue, sneezing, sore throat.
- source: krone.at/picture: pixabay.com
This post has already been read 744 times!