if( navigator.sendBeacon ) { Called BA.2 by scientists, it has earned itself a more ominous (and more catchy) nickname: stealth omicron. However, as the COVID-19 pandemic rapidly evolves and the scientific communitys understanding of the novel coronavirus develops, some of the information may have changed since it was last updated. Rob Rohatsch currently serves as Chief Medical Officer for Solv Health. And alongside its similarly rapid spread, this subvariant has been dubbed the "stealth" Omicron variant by many scientists because it is actually harder to detect than Omicron. This has led to more questions. "It's not like this variant has increased ability to evade vaccine-induced immunity," Thomas Russo, MD, professor and chief of infectious disease at the University at Buffalo in New York, told Prevention. Review CPT codes for COVID-19 vaccines and immunizations. The most common symptoms of the Omicron variant were cough, fatigue, congestion or runny nose, and fever. Android, The best in medicine, delivered to your mailbox. Dr. Crum noted that most experts say its 30% to 60% more transmissible, so its a riskespecially if it gets into a nonimmune populationto be able to skyrocket in terms of the number of cases. Despite BA.2 being labeled a subvariant of Omicron, there are still significant differences in the genetic makeup of the variants. This version of the coronavirus, which scientists call BA.2, is widely considered stealthier than the original version of Omicron because particular genetic traits make it somewhat harder to. Sure, this is a small percentage of cases. Solv has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. While this particular variant is more widespread in Europe, South Asia, South Africa and India at the moment, she expects that U.S. officials may soon learn that BA.2 is more widespread than originally thought in due time. I dont see this moving the dial significantly in terms of posing a new, huge problem., He adds, theres not the same concern level that we had with Omicron with BA.1.. Dr. Crum is also an alternate delegate in the AMA House of Delegates for the Infectious Diseases Society of America. Dr. Adalja agrees. document.addEventListener( 'DOMContentLoaded', function() { The BA.2 has been sometimes dubbed a stealth variant because it is missing key mutations in its spike protein that are necessary for rapid PCR tests to distinguish it from previous variants, such as Delta. Its not the old people or the people with severe disease. This new iteration of the fast-spreading variant has been gaining a foothold in several counties since Jan. 24, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported. According to The Daily Express, there are seven symptoms U.K. researchers have already associated with the new stealth Omicron variant:fever, extreme fatigue, coughing, sore throat, sore head, muscular fatigue, and an elevated heart rate. RELATED: These 4 New COVID Symptoms Could Mean You Have Omicron, Doctors Warn. "By far, most of what we are seeing is BA.2," Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady said Thursday. Apply for a leadership position by submitting the required documentation by the deadline. Bestlifeonline.com is part of the Dotdash Meredith Publishing Family. Runny nose and sneezing haven't been the most common symptoms with previous variants, but "the most reported symptoms of . While it will still take time to know even more about BA.2, some virus experts have already pinpointed some potential common signs of the stealth Omicron variant. The deadly novel coronavirus mutated over time and and has created newer variants that fueled every wave of the pandemic. Review the list of candidates to serve on the AMA Board of Trustees and councils. The NHS explained: "These may come and go throughout the day. "We will have to wait and see what exactly that means," said Dr. Rachael Lee, an associate professor of infectious disease and a health care epidemiologist at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. While all symptoms remain possible for anyone who becomes sick, not all COVID-19 infections are the same, and upper respiratory symptoms have become more prevalent this winter than other potential symptoms that have been noted in years past. Looking for cold-like symptoms can help keep you and others protected this holiday season. What doctors wish patients knew about the What is the BA.2 or stealth Omicron subvariant? BA.2, also known as "stealth omicron," is considered a subvariant of omicron, but, according to Chicago's top doctor, the suvariant is now making up at least two-thirds of the city's COVID cases. It's very common to see young, previously healthy people that now can't go back to work or now are having all these issues, she added. The stealth Omicron variant has already made its way around several countries including Denmark, India, Sweden, and Singapore, according to Verywell Health. WHO, XBB.1.16 Initial Risk Assessment (April 17, 2023), XBB.1.5: A new Covid variant spreads across the US. People are really concerned because: oneyes, it's here in the United States, and twoyes, it's caused outbreaks in other countries. Learn more about improving surgical outcomes for senior patients. Dr. Rohatsch served on the Yale School of Medicine faculty teaching at the medical school and is currently on faculty at the Haslam School of Business at the University of Tennessee teaching in the Executive MBA Program. There is a possibility that healthcare providers will uncover a new trend for this particular "stealth" variant in the future but it remains true that anyone impacted by COVID-19 may be impacted by any one of the following symptoms reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Dr. Edwards adds that it is too early to tell anything about the mortality rate and hospitalization rate around this particular variant, nor if it particularly impacts a certain subset of the population more frequently. Tracking XE Whether it is medium COVID or some other term, weve really seen the whole gamut from one day of symptoms from COVID-19 and then everything is well to one year or more of symptoms and things are still really bad, she said. They also have BA.1 but it looks like BA.2 is replacing BA.1," Luban told the news outlet. increases its ability to transmit infections, https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/21042023xbb.1.16ra-v2.pdf?sfvrsn=84577350_1, https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#variant-proportions, https://www.solvhealth.com/blog/xbb15-what-do-you-need-to-know, https://www.who.int/multi-media/details/who-press-conference-on-covid-19-and-other-global-health-issues-29-march-2023, https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/72/wr/mm7205e1.htm?s_cid=mm7205e1_w, https://www.thequint.com/fit/arcturus-xbb-116-covid-variant-symptoms-cases-in-india, https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html, https://abcnews.go.com/US/video/new-covid-19-variant-arcturus-rise-us-98800298, https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/coronavirus-covid-19-update-fda-authorizes-changes-simplify-use-bivalent-mrna-covid-19-vaccines, https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/faq.html. In the first few days, we had a sequence, the sequence itself was terrifying, but it took time before we could find out if Omicron would be more pathogenic and infectious.". Learn more. But unlike the delta variant, many patients were not losing their taste or smell. Despite BA.2 being labeled a subvariant of Omicron, there are still significant differences in the genetic makeup of the variants. The positivity rate is also up to 1.8%, an increase from the 1.5% reported last week. Emerging research has been showing that Omicron is more likely to affect the upper respiratory tract instead of the lungs, unlike some prior versions of the virus, according to WHO. Our content is fact checked by our senior editorial staff to reflect accuracy and ensure our readers get Meaning, you shouldn't expect a brand new symptom to appear if you happen to be impacted by "stealth" Omicron specifically largely, the side effects of . Think you may have monkeypox? Solv recommends staying informed so you can protect yourself and your loved ones. But other common COVID-19 symptoms, like cough, fever . Heres what to do. However, there is no need to worry since symptoms have been mild, with no rise in hospitalizations or ICU admissions. "The most reported symptoms of Omicron are really very much like a cold, especially in people who've been vaccinated," Claire Steves, PhD, a scientist from King's College London involved with Zoe, confirmed in a Jan. 6 video. However, one must note, these are only early stage symptoms. Because of this rapid spread, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared Arcturus as a variant of interest on April 17th. Symptoms of infection don't appear to be any different so far from the original omicron strain. They also have BA.1 but it looks like BA.2 is replacing BA.1," Luban told the news outlet. Issue briefs summarize key health policy issues by providing concise and digestible content for both relevant stakeholders and those who may know little about the topic. A research year during medical school affords students more time to follow their scholarly pursuits. If its a more minor shift in the genetic sequencing, then it becomes a subvariant, she said, noting that Omicron BA.1 was the major variant that supplanted Delta and that happened over the winter months. Effective 3/13/23, ARC transitions to optional masking for our staff and physicians, with required masking during specific situations. With the BA.2 variant, sometimes called "stealth Omicron," driving a surge of cases in Europe, people are eager to distinguish the symptoms of Omicron from those of other coronavirus variants . What do you need to know? According to the CDC, COVID cases had fallen 20 percent in the last two weeks, despite Omicron's dominance. Like the original strain of Omicron, BA.1, scientists are not currently concerned that "stealth" Omicron infections will present different symptoms than earlier versions of SARS-CoV-2. One of the common symptoms of Stealth Omicron - much like the original variant - is vertigo or dizziness. With the BA.2 omicron subvariant now the dominant strain across Chicago and the U.S., what symptoms should you be watching for? Omicron BA.2 stealth variant: Do you need to worry about the dominant strain sweeping across the U.S? In addition to Runner's World, she has contributed health, fitness and wellness content to Women's Health, SELF, Prevention, Healthline, and the Houston Chronicle, among other publications. Read more. WHO had recently mentioned that Omicron primarily affects the upper respiratory tract instead of the lungs, unlike some prior versions of the virus, like Delta. This article is accurate as of press time. ae0fcc31ae342fd3a1346ebb1f342fcb. The AMA Update covers a range of health care topics affecting the lives of physicians and patients. The holidays may have ended, but COVID continues to loom large. FWIW, its a controversial nickname that not everyone is into. This subvariant seems closely related to XBB.1.15, the Omicron subvariant that dominated late last year and early 2023. Were seeing very low rates of positivity for coronavirus right now and were actually seeing more influenza, said Dr. Crum. The NHS explained: "These may come and go throughout the day. The major variants are named according to the Greek alphabetAlpha, Beta, Delta and now Omicron.. Other experts say they don't feel like the emergence of the stealth Omicron variant is any cause for panic. For some, the virus can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death. Data suggests the vaccines are protective against BA.1 and BA.2. According to several health experts, BA.2 appears to be more transmissible than omicron. This makes tracking its spread more time-consuming. Dubbed as "stealth", the sub-variant of Omicron is concerning as they are hard to detect. Illinois has also seen a consistent rise. In fact, a recent CDC report that examined hospital ER and urgent care center data found that vaccine effectiveness against ER visits and hospitalizations was higher after the third dose (i.e. } .css-13y9o4w{display:block;font-family:GraphikBold,GraphikBold-fallback,Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif;font-weight:bold;margin-bottom:0;margin-top:0;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}@media (any-hover: hover){.css-13y9o4w:hover{color:link-hover;}}@media(max-width: 48rem){.css-13y9o4w{font-size:1.05rem;line-height:1.2;margin-bottom:0.25rem;}}@media(min-width: 40.625rem){.css-13y9o4w{font-size:1.28598rem;line-height:1.2;}}@media(min-width: 48rem){.css-13y9o4w{font-size:1.39461rem;line-height:1.2;margin-bottom:0.5rem;}}@media(min-width: 64rem){.css-13y9o4w{font-size:1.23488rem;line-height:1.3;}}The Difference Between a Heart Attack and a Stroke, 9 Signs You May Develop Erectile Dysfunction, 6 Harmless Reasons You Can't Get An Erection, Signs You're Having an Existential Crisis, Covid Shots After the Public Health Emergency Ends, A Day in the Life of a (Clueless) Medical Intern, What the Covid Public Health Emergency End Means, What Is a Pulmonary Embolism From 'Succession', I Stopped Reading Political News for 30 Days. "So this is the same virus, so SARS Coronavirus 2, so we're seeing the same symptoms," he said. Limited time: You may be eligible for half-price dues. Always talk to your doctor for professional medical advice. RELATED: The highly transmissible and contagious BA.2 Omicron subvariantdubbed stealth Omicronis now the dominant strain in the United States, causing more than 85% of all COVID-19 cases, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). .css-lwn4i5{display:block;font-family:Neutra,Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif;font-weight:bold;letter-spacing:-0.01rem;margin-bottom:0;margin-top:0;text-align:center;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}@media (any-hover: hover){.css-lwn4i5:hover{color:link-hover;}}@media(max-width: 48rem){.css-lwn4i5{font-size:1.375rem;line-height:1.1;}}@media(min-width: 40.625rem){.css-lwn4i5{font-size:1.375rem;line-height:1.1;}}@media(min-width: 48rem){.css-lwn4i5{font-size:1.375rem;line-height:1.1;}}@media(min-width: 64rem){.css-lwn4i5{font-size:1.375rem;line-height:1.1;}}8 Surprising Benefits of Cycling, 12 Potential Arcturus COVID Symptoms to Know, The Reason Why You Buy Things When You're Drunk, Heres the Real Reason Why You Get Toe Cramps, How Buccal Fat Removal Surgery Actually Works. One of . And Omicron's BA.2 subvariant might not be much different. Empirical data has said that this spread faster than the Omicron variant, which in itself had a higher transmissibility than Covid-19. "BA.2 may extend the Omicron wave a little longer, but I don't think it changes the overall trajectory of the pandemic," Amesh Adalja, MD, a senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, told Prevention, adding that "there is no cause for concern with BA.2 as everything you do to handle BA.1 is applicable.". "I would also predict that there would be significant protection with BA.2 if you had BA.1. With the rolling back of mask requirements and physical distancing, many people have been on a search for a new normal. This fits with early data from the U.K. showing that fever and cough are not as prevalent with omicron cases there and that the five top symptoms are runny nose, headache, fatigue, sneezing and. Patients, help us protect our high-risk patients - please wear a mask if you have respiratory symptoms, a positive COVID-19 test, or COVID-19 exposure. According to the CDC, COVID cases had fallen 20 percent in the last two weeks, despite Omicron's dominance. One of the common symptoms of the 'stealth omicron' - much like the original variant - is vertigo or dizziness. The top 5 symptoms in both periods were: runny nose. .css-1pm21f6{display:block;font-family:AvantGarde,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;font-weight:normal;margin-bottom:0.3125rem;margin-top:0;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}@media (any-hover: hover){.css-1pm21f6:hover{color:link-hover;}}@media(max-width: 48rem){.css-1pm21f6{font-size:1rem;line-height:1.3;}}@media(min-width: 40.625rem){.css-1pm21f6{font-size:1rem;line-height:1.3;}}@media(min-width: 64rem){.css-1pm21f6{font-size:1.125rem;line-height:1.3;}}Foods That Help With Bloating, Small Changes That Can Help Your Heart Health, Christie Brinkley Has Toned Legs in Pantsless Pic, AHA Says These Are the Best Diets for Your Heart, Jennifer Grey Opens Up About Bad Anxiety. Medical experts say the symptoms for BA.2 are similar to those seen in many COVID infections. But we do need to be careful because we still have quite a few unvaccinated people in the United States and if were going to take away masks and other preventive strategies, weve got to be cautious, she added. But still notable and important to point out". Solv can help you schedule your COVID vaccines or visit a licensed provider near you. Some experts believe the stealth subvariant could stop progress in the U.S. Back to School 2022: Tips to protect your kids from Omicron BA.5. The German-based GISAID Initiative indicates that BA.2 cases in the U.S. have remained at 100 cases in 20 different states as of this week, based on its public data. if( 'moc.enilnoefiltseb' !== location.hostname.split('').reverse().join('') ) { However, one must note, these are only early stage symptoms. We have prophylactic monoclonal antibodies that have been developed and could be considered in those patients who we really think do not have good immunity against the virus, she added. Many people who have Omicron say it feels like a common cold, and here are the 8 early warning signs you need to look out for. As for the stealth Omicron nickname, experts say its not exactly accurate. Stealth Omicron represented only 9% of infections, and BA.4 represented just over 11% of infections. But vaccination is better than getting the infection and assuming protection, meaning even if you've had previous coronavirus infections, there's still a clear benefit for vaccination in terms of the immunity that you'll have against future variants, she said. Sneezing. Visit our online community or participate in medical education webinars. I haven't seen data to suggest that vaccines would not be helpful for the current circulating variants, said Dr. Crum. In just roughly two months, this variant has taken over an estimated 99.9 percent of new cases in the country, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The three main symptoms of Covid-19, according to the NHS, are a new persistent cough, high temperature and loss of taste and smell. However, it still makes up a very small portion of COVID-19 cases in that countryand in the U.S. There is some suggestion that BA.1 may be a little bit more transmissible than Omicron but, at this point, it doesnt seem to cause any more or less severe disease, Dr. Russo says. "BA.2 may extend the Omicron wave a little longer, but I don't think it changes the overall trajectory of the pandemic," Amesh Adalja, MD, a senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, told Prevention, adding that "there is no cause for concern with BA.2 as everything you do to handle BA.1 is applicable.". I don't see this moving the dial significantly in terms of posing a new, huge problem.". Additionally, adults who received a primary vaccine and booster dose of Johnson & Johnsons Janssen COVID-19 vaccine at least four months ago may now receive a second booster dose with an mRNA vaccine. Officials and members gather to elect officers and address policy at the 2023 AMA Annual Meeting being held in Chicago, June 9-14, 2023. New research finds that the "stealth" Omicron subvariant, BA.2, has greater ability to evade immune protections and increased risk of reinfection. Northwestern's Dr. Michael Angarone, an associate professor of medicine in infectious diseases, said the symptoms for BA.2 are similar to those seen in many COVID infections. Infectious disease experts break it down. The two most reported symptom of patients infected by the Stealth Omicron variant is -dizziness and fatigue. Heres what you need to know about this latest development in the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. As regions around the country begin to ease up on whatever restrictions are even still in place, just a glimpse of the daily headlines will show that this is still far from over. Experts speaking to outlets like the San Francisco Chronicle and Deseret News indicate that the likelihood of someone becoming sick through exposure to any Omicron variant after experiencing an Omicron infection earlier this winter is very unlikely, but not out of the question. sore throat. As we've hit year three of the pandemic, the virus has mutated and changed over time, said Dr. Crum. A government notice said that police permission would be required for people to leave the area or travel from one city to another. According to the CDC data, XBB.1.16 is now 9% of the total COVID cases in the United States and is found in over 20 states. Due to its novelty, some Americans may be wondering if this "stealth" version of Omicron may lead to COVID-19 infections that feel worse understandably so, given how fast Omicron has spread here in the U.S. Read on to learn more about everything you should know about this new COVID-19 variant, including if this mutation has caused a shift in known symptoms associated with SARS-CoV-2 at large. So, COVID tests can detect Arcturus, and existing COVID treatments work. White House chief medical advisor Dr. Anthony Fauci said BA.2 is about 50% to 60% more transmissible than omicron, but it does not appear to be more severe. We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. One major unknown is how the new variant emerged.. This site uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. "It's like when Omicron first hit. I mean, for BA.1, we knew that it was mostly an upper respiratory-type infection rather than the lower respiratory infections that can lead toward pneumonia and further and greater complications," he said. "Hospitalization in most places continues to be stable. The AMA leads the charge on public health. BA.2, though, is increasing in many countries, the WHO says online. I don't see this moving the dial significantly in terms of posing a new, huge problem.". Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Mild fever, sore throat, malaise and body ache,. Even though dizziness and fatigue are common everyday symptoms, one must keep an eye out for the persistence of the same. RELATED: For more up-to-date information, sign up for our daily newsletter. Dr. Katherine Poehling, an infectious disease specialist and member of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices,told NBC Newsin January that a cough, congestion, runny nose and fatigue appear to be prominent symptoms with the omicron variant. } else { There is no need to panic; public health agencies continue to track the variant closely. Fever was much less common. Its moniker comes from the fact that certain lab tests can't register BA.2 as entirely unique in its genetic structure at first, according to CNN. Dr. Russo doesnt anticipate that the recent Omicron wave of COVID-19 cases will be heightened much by BA.2. She has a masters degree from American University, lives by the beach, and hopes to own a teacup pig and taco truck one day. New studies are showing that its symptoms are generally the same as other variants and remain mostly mild to moderate flu-like symptoms, especially if vaccinated. Death continues to be stable. Remove some to bookmark this image. You are encouraged to discuss any questions that you may have about your health with your healthcare provider. Sometimes people say, Oh, if I get COVID, no big deal, but thats a very nave because many of these patients then will develop long term symptoms, which is really horrible and often life-altering Dr. Crum said.

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