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COVID has been a real problem for the world for quite some time now. Numerous Omicron sub-variants have arisen since then. BA.4 and BA.5 variants now account for 15.7% and 36.6 % of new cases in the U.S., respectively, accounting for about 52% of new cases in the United States, according to research as of July 2022.
Read on to learn more about the two most recent varieties of Omicron.
The initial observations of Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 were made in South Africa in January and February of 2022, respectively. Meanwhile, BA.2.12.1 emerged from BA.2 in the United States, and in April, researchers at the state health department of New York identified the first outbreaks it was responsible for in the nation.
According to research, these two new sub-variants emerged from the are more contagious and can bypass immune responses to past infections or vaccinations. As a result, people who had Omicron earlier this year can be reinfected.
The BA.4 and BA.5 don’t seem to have much difference compared to general COVID-19 symptoms. Like Omicron, it has many nasty cold symptoms, including a stuffy nose, coughing, body aches, and weariness. Unlike other variants, however, people tend to lose their senses of smell and taste less frequently.
According to a CDC report released in December, the symptoms of the new variant Omicron patients typically include:
Other more common symptoms include:
The usual preventive method is to get the FDA-approved vaccination against COVID-19. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also continues to promote receiving booster doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.
To help address the contagious sub-variants, manufacturers are actively updating their vaccines to include an omicron BA.4 and BA.5 spike protein component, which is anticipated to be released in mid-fall 2022. Vaccination and booster shots are the best ways to prevent new variants. As more people receive the full vaccine, the risk of the virus mutating and spreading is reduced.
If you are feeling any symptoms, get tested right away. If you are noticing more severe symptoms or have comorbidities, contact your medical provider as you may qualify for additional treatments (monoclonal antibody infusions or Paxlovid) to help decrease the risk of hospitalization.
With all these new variants developing, taking care of yourself has become quite necessary. If you are exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 for seven days or less, then you should immediately contact MI Express Urgent Care in Canton & Ann Arbor MI for a COVID-19 test. If you test positive, our expert providers will devise a suitable treatment plan for you.
