Omicron has already started creating chaos, and now people are wondering if they are going to experience the same mayhem the Delta variant of COVID-19 had caused earlier in 2021. Well, if you are also terrified of going through the same agony again, here is good news for you!
As per the initial research and studies, the Omicron variant of COVID-19 poses 50 to 70 per cent fewer chances of hospitalisation as compared to the previous strains. They, however, have cautioned to be careful as it still has the potential to lead many people to the hospitals. Following safety protocols sincerely can help us in minimising the spread of this wave.
The UK Health Security Agency has claimed that the initial results of the research suggest that most of the infected people would recover without any hospital care but still, the variant can cause a lot of damage.
Defining the reason behind the potential threat, the experts explained that the Omicron variant spreads way faster than the Delta variant and also has the capability to dodge the vaccine, which the earlier strains were unable to do. Hence, it may infect a larger number of people and hence, can cause too many hospitalisations.
Studies conducted across all the countries including England, South Africa, Scotland and Denmark have shown similar results. All of them have accepted the new strain to be far more contagious but milder in terms of symptoms. It is important to know that it can also cause moderate to severe illness as well as death.
The United Kingdom has been one of the worst affected countries in terms of Omicron spread as of now. Since November this year, a total of 132 people have been admitted to the hospital after contracting the Omicron variant. Out of these, 14 people have died within 28 days of being infected.
The study has highlighted some interesting insights. Have a look:
The concerning thing is that the virus may be causing milder symptoms but this advantage may go down the drain because of its higher contagiousness.
Moreover, the experts are still not sure what this strain is going to do with the older people, people with comorbid conditions, unvaccinated population. Due to the high rate of transmission, it can burden the healthcare system and cause a lot of problems if taken lightly. The threat of delta is not over yet, as it is still the dominant variant.
Also Read: Is Covishield Effective Against Omicron?
Omicron has been presenting itself with milder symptoms because of the combination of people’s immunity and certain changes to the virus itself.
The initial studies have found out that most of the people who have contracted the new variant have been infected before with the previous variants or have already taken the vaccination. Both of these qualities provide a robust defence mechanism against the virus.
The lab studies have also shown that the way the Omicron variant infects our body is also different from the Delta variant. Unlike its predecessor, Omicron infects the airways of the person instead of messing up the deep tissues of the lungs, which makes it easier for it to spread, but milder as it stays away from the delicate parts of the lungs.
The precautions and steps to be taken remain the same as before. It is essential to mask yourself properly, take both doses of vaccines (if not yet vaccinated), maintain physical distancing, follow hand hygiene, respiratory etiquettes and maintain good ventilation to the maximum possible.
The Omicron variant may be able to cause breakthrough infection but vaccinations do prevent the chances of severe infection. Hence, vaccination is still our best shield against this or any upcoming variant of COVID-19.
Read More: Precautions to Take Against The Omicron Variant
Omicron for sure is here to modify our New Year plans, but with a little caution and determination, we surely can protect ourselves and our loved ones from this virus and finally push COVID-19 to the endemic stage, where it was supposed to be by the start of the year 2022. So, please keep wearing masks and avoid large gatherings till instructed otherwise. Stay safe and happy.
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.
Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.
The holiday season is just around the corner as we are about to wrap up the year 2021. It definitely was not as anyone would have expected it to be but together, we somehow managed to emerge victorious over the Delta variant of COVID-19 that had wreaked havoc around the world in mid-2021.
Well, we might have won a battle against COVID-19 but the war is far from over as the virus has struck back with a brand new variant named Omicron, and with winter celebrations and New Year in the offing, its spread is most likely to become rampant all across the world.
There, however, are still some ways that can help us in containing the spread of the Omicron variant despite it being more contagious than the Delta variant. Below, we have mentioned some expert advice on how to stay and keep your family members safe during the holiday season amid the Omicron crisis. Have a look:
Apart from avoiding huge gatherings, you should also maintain at least a six-feet distance from others when outdoors. Masks have not yet become optional accessories but continue to be an essential safety net in the war against COVID-19.
One must wear their mask properly so it covers their nose and mouth.
This is the first thing you need to do to save yourself from contracting this virus. While the scientists are yet to ascertain if Omicron is more severe than the Delta variant, experts have advised not to join any large gatherings and to prefer being outdoors instead of attending or throwing indoor events.
As people tend to travel a lot during the New Year festive season, the experts have advised people to be a little more flexible about the place they want to visit. Doing some research about the place you want to visit and finding out the active number of COVID-19 cases in the locality can help you in staying safe. Moreover, you can also find out the vaccination coverage in the particular region to better evaluate the risk of visiting there.
Gather with others who are up-to-date on their vaccines and who you can count on to not come if they have symptoms. Smaller gatherings can be lower risk than larger gatherings. Gatherings held outdoors are lower risk for spread than indoor gatherings. All this reduces your risk of spreading a virus.
Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD
The Indian healthcare system has impressively covered a huge number of people in terms of COVID-19 vaccinations but still, there are a lot of people who are either yet to receive their second dose or have not got jabbed even once. So, the best possible way to prevent the Omicron infection is to get vaccinated on priority. There are speculations that the new variant may be able to cause breakthrough infection, but nothing is confirmed as of now. Furthermore, the initial studies prove that the Omicron virus can dodge immunity only to some extent. Hence, getting jabbed is the best defence mechanism we can opt for at the moment.
While travelling outstation, it is a good practice to keep some rapid test kits handy to determine if you have contracted the virus or not. Despite not being fully accurate, they can largely help in diagnosing the infection in the early days helping you to get early treatment as well as isolation.
Do not ignore any symptoms of illness- fever, sore/scratch throat, weakness, body ache etc. Isolate yourself, consult a doctor and do not meet other people till you are not sure of your disease. It is important for the safety of your loved ones.
Also Read: Is Covishield Effective Against Omicron?
COVID-19 was about to enter the endemic stage before the Omicron variant first appeared in South Africa and has spread to several countries since then. India itself has reported over 200 cases as of now, with Delhi and Maharashtra being the hub of the spread with 54 cases each. Hence, it is our responsibility to celebrate the upcoming holiday season cautiously and contain the spread of this variant before it becomes rampant. Virtual parties can be a safe and happy mode of celebration. Avoid any unnecessary travel, act responsibly and don’t forget to keep your masks on!
Also Read: Precautions to Take Against The Omicron Variant
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.
Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.
As people around the world were breathing a sigh of relief due to the decreasing number of COVID infection cases, Omicron stepped in and reminded us that it is not over yet. The emergence of Omicron happened late in November. It has been reported by the World Health Organization (WHO) that it is a new variant of SARS CoV-2. The B.1.1.529 Omicron has been classified as a Variant of Concern (VOC).
Omicron cases were first detected in Botswana and South Africa. There are confirmed cases in more than 77 countries now. Omicron cases detected in India are largely from Delhi, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, etc. This has led to panic among people, there are several international flight bans due to Omicron. People are also afraid there might be another lockdown in India as the threat rises. The UK has already seen a massive rise in cases and may be forced into lockdown. We don’t know for sure the severity of illness it causes, or how effective vaccines are against it, but research is on.
There is a lot of research ongoing regarding the Omicron variant and its transmissibility. Children seem to have a stronger immune response to the coronavirus infection but may be at a greater risk of contracting the Omicron virus. This is why the focus is now on vaccinating children.
The quick rise of the variant shows that it has some capacity to evade immunity. A lot of people including South Africans are fully vaccinated, despite which a large number of people were infected.
Studies suggest that breakthrough infections in South Africa took place even though the vaccines administered were Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer and AstraZeneca. Some countries have focused on giving booster doses. It is believed that a third dose may decrease Omicron’s ability to evade the antibodies.
Even if the effectiveness of vaccines against Omicron comes out to be slightly low, it remains the best way to protect people from COVID-19. Scientists are currently investigating Omicron, but the tools we already have for protection are masks, sanitisers, vaccines, availability of tests, awareness of safety measures that can be of great help irrespective of the type of variant.
The spread of the Omicron variant may make you question the effectiveness of the vaccines, but you must remember that Delta is still the dominant variant and the safety measures and vaccines will help you reduce the threat of severe COVID infection from all variants. No studies so far, have proven the ineffectiveness of vaccines in Omicron. While researches are being carried on, you must continue to follow COVID guidelines to stay safe and get vaccinated.
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.
Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.
When the world had started believing that COVID-19 is about to enter the endemic stage, the virus has struck back with a brand new variant named Omicron, also known as B.1.1.529. The new variant has reignited the speculations over the emergence of a third COVID-19 wave in India, which can completely disrupt our life. As per the initial research, the new variant has a high amount of spike mutations that were never recorded before.
Omicron seems to be very rampant in terms of spreading as its cases did not take many days to pop up in many other countries after first being reported in South Africa. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has listed Omicron as a “variant of concern”.
The newest variant of SARS-CoV-2 was first reported to the WHO on November 24, 2021. The variant was detected in the specimen collected on November 11 in Botswana and on November 14 in South Africa.
Soon after receiving the report, WHO classified Omicron as a variant of concern on November 26, followed by the United States on November 30 before the country recorded its first case on December 1. The next day, India recorded its first two cases of the Omicron variant.
With the limited number of cases recorded so far, there is only a little information available about the symptoms. It has been said that the Omicron variant can present itself with extreme tiredness, body aches, throat discomfort (scratching or soreness), fever and some headache.
As the number of cases has been very low so far, there can be a possibility of this strain presenting severe symptoms in some people. Hence, experts are suggesting not to take this variant lightly.
The Omicron variant likely will spread more easily than some of the previous variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and how easily Omicron spreads compared to Delta remains unknown. More data are needed to know if Omicron infections and especially reinfections and breakthrough infections in people who are fully vaccinated, cause more severe illness or death than infection with other variants. Scientists are working to determine how well existing treatments for COVID-19 work. Based on the changed genetic make-up of Omicron, some treatments are likely to remain effective while others may be less effective.
Current vaccines are expected to protect against severe illness, hospitalizations and deaths due to infection with COVID-19 and also the Omicron variant. However, breakthrough infections in people who are fully vaccinated are likely to occur. With other variants, like Delta, vaccines have remained effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalizations and death. The recent emergence of Omicron further emphasizes the importance of vaccination and boosters.
Scientists are working to learn more about the Omicron variant to better understand how easy it might be transmitted and the effectiveness of currently authorized or approved medical countermeasures, such as vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostic tests, against this variant. New information about the virologic, epidemiologic and clinical characteristics of the Omicron variant is rapidly emerging. Scientific bodies recommend wearing a mask in public indoor settings in areas of substantial or high community transmission, regardless of vaccination status.
Disclaimer: The information included at this site is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional. Because of unique individual needs, the reader should consult their physician to determine the appropriateness of the information for the reader’s situation.
This article has been medically reviewed and fact-checked by Dr Nikita Toshi.
The SARS-CoV-2 COVID-19 pandemic brought the world to a standstill when it first spread across the globe at the beginning of 2020. Amidst lockdowns and strict travel restrictions, the virus mutated as it spread among more people. When finally it seemed like the worst was behind us (thanks to an extensive vaccination scheme), we got the news that there’s a new strain doing the rounds! Omicron strain is the latest mutation identified by scientists in South Africa.
Read to know more about the new strain of COVID-19 and how you can protect yourself from it.
Scientists in South Africa reported the development of a new strain of the COVID-19 virus, called B.1.1.529, on November 24th, 2021. The World Health Organisation (WHO) named it Omicron, following the tradition of using Greek nomenclature to denote the strains of the virus. The strains before the Omicron were named alpha, beta, gamma, Delta variant, etc. The new variant (Omicron) has been named while skipping the two letters in the Greek alphabet ‘Nu’ and ‘Xi’. [1]
When we talk about the origin story of the variant, experts from South Africa notified on 2nd December 2021 that the origin of Omicron was unknown. On the other hand, as per theories released by Livescience, the Omicron variant was believed to have possibly evolved in rodents. Whichever statement might be true, it can be said that not much is known about the Omicron variant and further studies are underway. But with the spread of the Omicron variant, researchers also shared thoughts of the COVID-19 virus becoming endemic.
The health implications of the Omicron strain are still being tested by scientists around the world, however, the number of positive COVID-19 tests in South Africa indicate that this new strain is potentially fast-spreading because the Omicron strain has a high number of mutations in the ‘spike protein’ associated with COVID-19. [2]
It is essential to maintain safety protocols as the virus is already spreading in India and other nations like Israel, the United Kingdom, the US, Belgium, Botswana, Canada and Hong Kong. The WHO considers this as a Variant of Concern (VOC) for now and many countries gearing up to issue travel bans as a response to stop its spread.
You should feel better within a couple of weeks after getting infected with covid and getting appropriate treatment, if your symptoms persist beyond 4-8 weeks, you should follow up with your doctor to rule out long covid.
Dr. Ashish Bajaj, M.B.B.S., M.D.
By now, you might be feeling quite gloomy after knowing that several subvariants and sublineages of Omicron have been confirmed in India. You might also wonder how these new variations affect you and their health implications. There are a lot of assumptions like getting affected by the Omicron strain is more likely for people who have already been affected by COVID-19 before. Only mild infections have been noticed among individuals affected by this strain.
There are concerns about sublineages of the Omicron strain having the ability to evade the immune system and cause breakthrough vaccine (infection after getting vaccinated). Whether the Omicron strain can trigger severe symptoms and effects will be confirmed only after further testing. For now, reinfection of individuals remains the most considerable risk.
It’s too early to state anything specific about the characteristics or severity of the new subvariants. It is important to stay calm, not panic and follow all safety measures sincerely.
Several subvariants of Omicron – BA.1, BA.1.1, BA.2, BA.2.75 and many more have been identified in different countries across the globe. It is important to understand that all of these subvariants or sublineages are of Omicron variant of Covid-19 which is classified as a Variant Of Concern (VoC) therefore all these subvariants are also categorised as VoC. With the ongoing studies, more information on the rate of transmission and severity of these subvariants can be gained.
Omicron is a variant of COVID virus due to mutation. Omicron shows a 13-fold increase in viral infectivity and is 2.8 times more infectious than the Delta variant. That’s why it’s a variant of concern.
Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD
The delta variant of COVID-19 was discovered first in India and was responsible for the 2nd wave of the pandemic in the country. According to current studies, the Omicron variant has many more mutations in its spike protein than the delta variant. It is assumed that this variant is more transmissible than the delta variant, which can cause concern.
The delta variant of the virus is responsible for heavy infections and mortality. The delta variant of the virus is a lethal variant and current reports are yet to confirm the severity of illness caused by the Omicron variant. The reinfection and transmissibility rates are predicted to be much higher in the Omicron variant. But, more studies and data are needed to understand this variant better.
Also Read: Omicron vs Other Variants
There have been no reports of any unusual symptoms noticed in people affected by the omicron subvariants so far. Thus, the current scenario suggests that symptoms of the Omicron sub-variant can be the same as what was being noticed in the earlier strains of the virus. Some of the most common symptoms of COVID-19 include – fever, weakness, loss of smell, shortness of breath, chest pain and loss of taste, sore throat, cough, stomach ache and diarrhoea. A person may present with a few or more of the symptoms mentioned. We are yet to receive confirmatory data on the severity and symptoms of the new subvariants of Omicron. [4]
The SARS-CoV-2 RT- PCR and Rapid antigen test (RAT) for Covid-19 can detect COVID-19 infection even with the new virus strains reported at present. This will not confirm the type of variant or sub-variant samples of suspected people reported positive by RT-PCR test are sent for genome sequencing for confirmation of the Variant type.
The best way to stay safe currently is by following all WHO and Government-mandated safety measures for Omicron –
BA.2.75 is said to have a higher transmission rate than other Omicron sub-lineages. Surveillance for the new sub-variants has been increased in all countries, including India, to monitor the spread. Symptoms are more or less similar for different sub-variants. We must be aware and safe by following Covid’s appropriate behaviour to the best possible.
The Omicron sub-variants are spreading rapidly but on a positive note, we have a strong vaccination drive in place. People who have been affected by severe COVID-19 previously or those with other comorbidities need to stay extra cautious as the rate of reinfection is thought to be high in some of the new subvariants. If you follow all safety protocols and maintain good hygiene, you can lower the risk of infection from the new variant. Be responsible for limiting the spread of the virus and encourage the maintenance of safety protocols among your peers.
Also Read: Do Existing Vaccines Work Against Omicron?
Q1. Can Omicron kill you?
Ans: Scientists are yet to confirm how deadly the Omicron variant might turn out to be. One must follow all safety measures to minimise the risk of infection.
Q2. Can the Omicron virus evade vaccines?
Ans: As per reports, it is too early to establish a statement on the efficacy of vaccines against the new Omicron virus. At the same time, there is no evidence to suggest the ineffectiveness of vaccines against the new COVID variant. Vaccines are always going to help humans in this battle against the virus.
Q3. How was the Omicron virus formed?
Ans: It is the prime nature of a virus to evolve as it spreads and replicates from host to host. Mutations can bring about changes like the virus- making it weak at times and strong as well. With regards to the formation of this virus, there are three assumptions; one, the virus first infected an animal and then spread amongst humans. Two, around mid-2020, the strain had already started doing the rounds and by the end of 2021, it had undergone a significant degree of mutations and was in a very transmissible stage. Three, another assumption is that the virus probably evolved in an immunocompromised person and then started spreading to others. Needless to say, none of these claims is backed by solid proof and remain debatable.
Q4. Where was the Omicron variant discovered?
Ans: As per news reports, the origin country of the Omicron virus is South Africa.
Q5. When was the Omicron virus first detected?
Ans: The Omicron virus was first detected in South Africa in November 2021.
Q6. Has the Omicron virus arrived in India?
Ans: Yes, Omicron and its several subvariants have been reported in India.
Q7. Will schools be shut down due to the Omicron virus?
Ans: It is being estimated that physical attendance in schools might see a drop owing to the circulation of news about the increase in cases due to subvariants of the Omicron virus.
Q8. Will there be another lockdown due to the Omicron virus?
Ans: Following the Omicron Virus positive test results in India, the Health Ministry has officially announced that there will not be any need for a lockdown immediately. However, the public is strongly advised to follow all appropriate Covid guidelines and get vaccinated as soon as possible.
Q9. Will the Omicron virus end the Pandemic?
Ans: There is no evidence to confirm that the Omicron virus will end the pandemic.
Q10. Will the Omicron virus affect travel?
Ans: Following reports of the Omicron virus, the Union Health Ministry has laid specific travel guidelines for international passengers. Even if you are planning domestic travel, check the travel guidelines of that particular area and follow COVID-appropriate behaviour to ensure your safety and the safety of others.
Q11. Is the Omicron Virus fast-spreading?
Ans: Based on the mutations present in the new COVID variant, there are predictions that the Omicron virus may spread faster than the previous variants. But we need to wait for some more time to understand the exact nature of this virus.
Also Read: Omicron Variant: Latest Updates and News
Disclaimer: The information included on this site is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional. Because of unique individual needs, the reader should consult their physician to determine the appropriateness of the information for the reader’s situation.
We all have understood that COVID-19 is here to stay and we will have to make our peace with this fact. Similar to Influenza, some experts opine that SARS CoV-2 may also enter the endemic stage. What does this really mean and how is our behaviour significant at this time? Let’s find out.
The endemic stage stands for a time when a population learns to live with a particular virus. The region where the virus has entered the endemic stage may keep observing small flare-ups of the spread but those would not be big enough to spread beyond the boundaries of that particular region. Moreover, the spread also does not become as overwhelming as it was during the pandemic or epidemic stages.
Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and the Chief Medical Advisor to the US President, Dr Anthony Fauci believes that the world would start seeing a decline in the number of cases in the coming spring, while Moderna’s CEO, Stéphane Bancel claims that the pandemic would be over within next one year.
Some experts believe that the cases of COVID-19 are going to see a steady decline in the winter season
The only challenge in the way of the virus entering the endemic stage is ‘human behaviour’, claimed the experts. One of the biggest reasons behind the second wave of infection was the careless attitude of people around the world who believed that the worst was over. Expressing the same concern, CDC Director Dr Rochelle Walensky said, “We are battling with one another and not battling with the common foe, which is the virus itself.”
Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has also claimed that the pandemic is still far from over and it totally depends upon the countries to use the available tools effectively to decide when it finally comes to an end.
Optimism is totally justified, given people understand their responsibility. Experts have claimed that it is quite natural to be optimistic and believe that the pandemic would end in the next year, but it is important to understand that controlling it would require a global solution.
Learnings from past experiences of pandemics like that of Flu give us some idea of how this pandemic can proceed towards endemicity, but nothing can be assured at this point of time till further studies affirm this.
According to the experts, immunization has a major role to play when talking about COVID-19 cases. We need to encourage more and more people to get vaccinated.
Some experts have also claimed that an optional booster dose of vaccine may help the high-risk population from getting severe symptoms due to COVID infection. Challenges in the way of COVID-19 entering the endemic stage. Vaccination is the most effective way of containing the spread of the virus, vaccine hesitancy, especially among children, is the biggest roadblock in the way of the virus getting into the endemic stage.
The experts have advised people to get vaccinated on priority as this is the safest way possible to try and make a place COVID-19-free. With the belief that the virus is going to remain in circulation even after a year, we need to be alert to combat every situation.
Studies and research are still going on and no one can actually state what’s going to come next. The virus has surprised us in the part and there is no guarantee it would not do it again, so dropping the guard against the virus may not be a good idea. Social distancing, hand hygiene, respiratory etiquettes, wearing a mask and avoiding crowded places should remain the norms of conducting ourselves in future too.
Also Read: Omicron Variant: Risks & Safety Precautions
The health experts around the world are convinced that the COVID-19 pandemic is bound to enter the endemic stage sometime in the next year, but it is up to us how we conduct ourselves during the period to expedite the process.
Disclaimer: The information included at this site is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional. Because of unique individual needs, the reader should consult their physician to determine the appropriateness of the information for the reader’s situation
COVID-19 has been a pandemic everyone of us just wants to be over and forget these horrifying couple of years once and for all. It has not been an easy situation to handle for any of us ever since it first appeared in central China back in December 2019. It, however, has been even tougher for certain people who have a weaker immune system.
Many studies have proven that COVID-19 is even deadlier for those whose immune system isn’t up to the mark or are suffering from a condition that compromises their immune system.
It would not be wrong to say that people who are already suffering from Human Immunodeficiency Virus infection and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) have been the most troubled lot amongst the people susceptible of getting severe symptoms and hospitalisation due to the respiratory infection.
Ever since the coronavirus started spreading across the globe, the healthcare community was worried that it was going to severely affect HIV patients and those with a compromised immune system.
The anticipation was not wrong as the weaker immune system of HIV patients might not have played a role in making them more prone to get infected but it most certainly increased the chances of a more severe case of COVID-19, once the virus was contracted.
Lauren K. Barbera, from the University of Colorado and her teammates, in a review article published in HIV Research and Clinical Practice, have claimed that the recent studies have proven that people with HIV (PWH) are at a bigger risk of suffering from a severe disease on contracting COVID-19, even if they have fairly controlled HIV infection.
The review paper submitted by Barbera and her colleagues had combined a total of 212 articles published on the subject from March 2020 to July 2021.
A real extensive study, conducted on over three million patients in South Africa, suggests that HIV patients have a two-fold bigger risk of COVID-19 death, irrespective of CD4 count or HIV viral load. Some other studies have also suggested similar outcomes for HIV patients.
In yet another shocking stat, people living with HIV, who are about 0.7 percent of the world’s population, accounted for about 0.5 to 1.5 percent of COVID-19 cases around the globe.
Discussed below are some facts giving a more clear picture of the correlation between COVID-19 and HIV. Have a look:
Fever, shortness of breath, cough and cold are some of the most common symptoms of COVID-19. Other symptoms may include muscle pain, loss of smell and taste and headaches.
The authors of the study, conducted on 286 people with HIV, have found that they noticed similar symptoms in them too. People with HIV should consult their doctor even if they notice the slightest discomfort or any of the above-mentioned symptoms.
The review also claimed that a lot of studies and case reports suggest that people suffering from HIV, who contract COVID-19 infection, are more susceptible to be severely ill or get admitted to ICU than the people who do not have HIV.
The reviewers also claimed that the mortality rate due to COVID-19 is also higher among HIV patients. The study quoted in the review to support the mortality rate is based on a study conducted in the United Kingdom that proved it to be true. The number of deaths reported in the study, however, was relatively low.
As we all know, social distancing, quarantining and self-isolation due to COVID-19 has had a huge impact on the mental health of people in the recent past. According to Barbara and her teammates, the studies have found the impact to be even bigger on the minds of HIV patients.
One of the studies in the review submitted by the team of the University of Colorado proved that people suffering from HIV were more concerned about their physical health, mental health, accommodations and finances during the pandemic.
The researchers also pointed out that telemedicine played a big role in preventing these mental issues turn into something serious due to the privacy and flexibility it offers but the HIV patients had to overcome the barriers of socioeconomic status, digital literacy and reimbursement issues.
As expected, HIV patients had to be even more cautious during the COVID-19 pandemic because of their compromised immune systems and should continue their treatment and follow-ups for HIV. There, however, was a silver lining that they also had to take the same precautions to avoid contracting the virus as a non-HIV infected l person.
As we are advancing towards endemicity in India, we should not lower our guard against the virus. We all should unite to follow all the precautionary measures like social distancing, wearing a mask, frequently washing our hands, and getting vaccinated as soon as possible to finally kick this virus out of our country.
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.
Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.
“Breakthrough infection” is a new term that you may have heard recently. It stands for those people who are fully vaccinated for at least two weeks and then contract COVID-19 infection. It is very much similar to unvaccinated people who get infected with the virus but there are some differences in the symptoms and intensity of the infection.
According to a study conducted on the symptoms of the breakthrough infection, it presents itself with signs like –
Some of these symptoms are exactly the same that unvaccinated people experience when they contract COVID-19. The common symptoms are –
Notably, there are a couple of more symptoms that usually vaccinated people do not experience. They are –
These two are the most common COVID-19 symptoms but vaccinated people are way less likely to experience these problems. According to a study, people who suffer from breakthrough infection are 58 percent less likely to experience heightened body temperature as compared to the people who did not get their jabs.
A few studies have also proven that people who have already taken both their shots of COVID-19 are less likely to be hospitalised than people who have not taken the vaccine yet.
The other difference is that vaccinated people are less likely to experience any symptoms in the initial stages of the infection and also may not develop long COVID.
As per the experts, the reason behind vaccinated people developing milder symptoms could be the vaccines. Even if these vaccines are unable to block the infection entirely, they seem to ensure that the infected person has fewer virus particles in his/her body.
This belief is yet to be proven with concrete studies but the recent cases suggest the same story.
Read More: All About The Omicron Covid Variant
According to a study conducted in the United Kingdom, 0.2 percent of the population, which means one in every 500 people, suffers from breakthrough infection after being fully vaccinated. The researchers, however, confirmed that the risk is not the same for everyone. They highlighted four things that may be contributing to your shield against COVID-19. Have a look –
The most important and the first aspect should be the type of vaccine you have taken and the relative risk reduction it offers. Relative risk reduction stands for a measurement of how less likely you become to contract the infection as compared to an unvaccinated person.
The relative risk reduction doesn’t completely assure you that the effects of the vaccine are going to last forever. Over the past few weeks, the debate over the third dose of the vaccines has intensified only because the scientists and researchers believe that the efficacy of the vaccines is surely going to wane off as time passes.
Therefore, if you have had taken the second dose of the vaccine more than six months ago, you might be more prone to catch the breakthrough infection.
A variant of the virus sure does play a crucial role in defining your risk of contracting the breakthrough infection of COVID-19. Most of the studies that we currently have read had been conducted on the original form of the Coronavirus that hit the world back in December 2019.
The efficacy of most of the available vaccines drops when they are dealing with the Alpha variant of Coronavirus and when it comes to the delta variant, the efficacy drops even further. As the virus is expected to keep mutating in future too, the efficacy of the vaccines may drop even further, leaving us more vulnerable to breakthrough infection.
Also Read: Omicron vs Other Variants
The above-mentioned factors are based on a general study on a population, irrespective of the overall health of a particular person. It means that your level of protection against breakthrough infection also depends upon your overall health, how strong your immunity is and the other person-specific factors.
You may be more vulnerable to the breakthrough infection because you work in the healthcare sector where you stay more exposed to the virus or your age is over 50 years or you already suffer from a chronic ailment that has compromised your immune system, etc. These may be the contributing factors to your vulnerability.
Notably, all the countries had first vaccinated the people who were most vulnerable to the infection, which means that most of them took their second dose about 6-7 months back. Hence, their immunity against COVID-19 may have waned off by now putting them at risk again.
Despite the above-discussed risk factors, vaccines surely are our biggest weapon against COVID-19 disease. Even if they are unable to give 100 percent protection against breakthrough infection, they surely are keeping the chances of severe illness and hospitalisation at the lowest.
There are plenty of countries that are planning to start administering the third dose of the vaccine to provide sturdier protection against COVID-19. Initially, they are planning to administer the dose to the vulnerable groups and then move on to the entire population. This may become a norm in the months to come in every country.
The vaccines might be failing to prevent breakthrough infection in a few cases but they should not be interpreted in any way that these are not effective. The only way we can defeat COVID-19 is by getting vaccinated as soon as possible. When there would be fewer people getting infected, the virus would eventually disappear. Moreover, we should also ensure to keep all the risk enhancing factors in mind to prevent the spread of the virus.
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.
Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.
India is seeing a sharp rise in the number of people being diagnosed with heart-related conditions and once again, the reason somewhere seems to be COVID-19. Yes, doctors in many cities across the country have noticed that the people who recovered from severe COVID-19 have been encountering heart issues like heart attacks, chest pains, heart failure, low pump capacity, arrhythmia, blood clotting, heart-swelling, etc.
These issues have majorly occurred within three months of their recovery from COVID-19.
As we all know, COVID-19 is a disease that infects the lungs but what many people did not know is that it also impacts the other body parts, including but not limited to the cardiac system.
While you undergo treatment for COVID-19, your immune system also tries to fight the virus and both these things lead to a high level of inflammation inside the body. This eventually leads to complications outside the lungs too.
This is the reason why people who never had any cardiac issues before contracting COVID-19 have reported cardiac issues after recovering from the infection.
There are plenty of complications a COVID-19 patient may experience after recovering successfully from the disease. Generally, these complications arise within three months of the recovery.
As per the experts, this problem has been mainly found among young and middle-aged adults and elderly patients. They experienced shortness of breath, chest pain and palpitations. Explaining the same, the experts claimed that these complications could be the result of heart-related problems but they can also be the result of other factors, like the result of being extremely ill for a long time, staying inactive for a long period of time, spending weeks in bed to recover from a disease, etc.
The experts have also suggested that people who already had heart-related problems before being diagnosed with COVID-19 must take good care of themselves and take all the precautions, medications and follow-ups with the doctor. This may help them in preventing any major complications.
Furthermore, the experts have figured out that people with diabetes, high cholesterol and chronic kidney disease are more prone to suffering from cardiac problems after recovering from COVID-19.
The doctors also claimed that such cases have become more prevalent ever since the second wave of COVID-19, as there were not many cases noticed during the first wave. Moreover, the doctors have noticed extended use of steroids during the second wave which could be a reason behind these problems.
Experts suggest that people who have recovered from COVID-19 must ensure that they go for regular cardiac screening, and the frequency should be at least once every six months. They should also stick to a healthy diet and follow a regime of physical activities.
Moreover, they also should keep taking the medications suggested by their doctor.
Mentioned below are the precautions a cardiac patient should take post-COVID-recovery under the supervision of a qualified registered physician or cardiologist:
The cases of heart-related complications after COVID-recovery have gone significantly up during the past few months. It is really important for everyone to take good care of themselves even after recovering from the disease. Regular checkups and other precautions may help you keep yourself safe. With the third wave spreading its wings across the country, we should be even more cautious to reduce the effects of the deadly disease to the minimum levels.
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.
Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.
With the COVID-19 cases rising once again in many parts of the country, the speculations regarding the need for a booster vaccination dose against the virus have intensified. Everyone is concerned if they should get the third dose or not.
To make things even more intriguing, the United States has decided to administer their people with the third dose from September onwards. They have decided to inoculate the vulnerable group of people first with the third dose.
There are a few more countries thinking about administering the third dose to eliminate the possibility of another deadly wave of COVID-19.
As per the experts, India surely is going to need a booster dose in the later stages. The government, however, has maintained that the need for the third dose of the vaccine is being closely monitored.
A booster dose is administered to enhance the antibody levels in the body when they start lowering after a certain period of time following the second shot of the vaccine.
The director at the National Institute of Virology, Dr Priya Abraham recently explained that studies have been under process in several foreign countries on the requirement of booster shots and at least seven vaccines have already been tried out. In the days to come, the booster dose will surely become a recommendation for everyone.
The director of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Dr Randeep Guleria has also pointed out that booster doses are definitely going to become a necessity looking at the mutating variants of the deadly virus. He also claimed that the immunity tends to fall as time passes. It happens because of waning immunity.
He said that it still has to be found out if a yearly dose would be required or not and if it would be mandatory for everyone or not.
On the other hand, European Medicines Agency has notified that it is too early to claim that there was any need for an additional dose of COVID-19 vaccine, apart from the pre-defined two doses. It said that they were certain that the current regimen was sufficient for COVID-19 prevention.
Some other experts have suggested that the authorities around the world should focus more on the first round of vaccination as when enough people would be inoculated, the mutated versions of coronavirus would take time to pop up again.
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Currently, the World Health Organisation (WHO) is stopping the countries from going ahead with the third dose as there are plenty of poor countries where the inoculation rate is very alarming.
WHO has said that the high-income countries should not go ahead with the third dose administration drive till the low-income countries catch up with a healthy inoculation rate.
Moreover, WHO chief scientist Dr Soumya Swaminathan also highlighted recently that the data available right now does not suggest any need for a third dose for anyone.
On the other hand, the United States health officials have been claiming for a long time now that people might require a third dose of the COVID-19 vaccines just like they do for other vaccines.
Pune-based Serum Institute of India (SII) chairman Cyrus Poonawalla, recently revealed that he has already taken the third dose of the vaccine and also appealed to everyone, who have already completed their course of two vaccines, to go ahead and take the third dose once it has already been six months.
Furthermore, he said that he has already got about seven to eight thousand SII employees inoculated with the third dose.
According to the media reports, the results of trials of the third booster dose of Covaxin developed and manufactured by Bharat Biotech and the National Institute of Virology, are expected to come by November 2021.
The booster dose of the “Made in India” vaccine was first introduced in May this year. It has been under trial ever since then at 12 different centres including AIIMS in Delhi and Patna.
The Drug Controller General of India (DGCI) had granted permission to run clinical trials for the third dose of Covaxin back in April this year. The results of the first trials carried out in April are expected in August, while the result of the second trial is scheduled to arrive in November this year.
The results of these trials will define the immunogenicity, reactogenicity, safety and tolerability of the booster dose of Covaxin.
As far as Indian and US experts are concerned, they both seem to be on the same page in terms of the need for the third dose of COVID-19 vaccine, while WHO has something else to suggest. The government may soon take a decision on the issue as the cases of Delta plus variant are rapidly increasing in some parts of India and may spread across states very quickly.
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.
Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.
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