More contagious than the previous ones but also with slightly different symptoms. The mutations BA.4 And BA.5Omicron sub-lineages identified last January and February in South Africa, would provide in particular a runny nose And tirednessin addition to the cough and to fever which have characterized substantially all the variants of Sars-Cov-2 that have appeared so far. Not only that: they are documented in many cases too pain in the stomach and abdomen in addition to theear. By affecting the upper respiratory tract more and less the lungs, they can still cause problems for other organs as well.
“It seems less bad, however, attention: it’s not a cold,” explained the virologist Fabrizio Pregliasco to Sky Tg24. BA.4. and BA.5 – or Omicron 4 and 5, if you prefer – would also be able to affect the nerve centers, with symptoms such as dizziness which until now had not been detected. “The cases are still too few to be able to say with certainty on the impact that Omicron 4 and 5 can have on our body” added the medical director of the Galeazzi Orthopedic Institute in Milan. “They seem even more contagious and we are monitoring them.” A little less frequentand when it happens less prolonged, the loss of taste and smell.
The point of most concern, and that emerges from a study by the Africa Health Research Institute in Durban, South Africa, and published in MedxRiv however, it is theirs probable ability to overcome the immunity developed after an infection with one previous variant of Omicron, especially in those who have not been vaccinated. In short, even those who, for example, were infected last winter by the main strain of Omicron would not seem too safe from a reinfection. Not to mention those who have had Covid in recent years. Vaccinates who also had Omicron, on the other hand, would be more protected. Even if the numbers of that survey are too small to draw any conclusions yet. The increase in cases in South Africa in the last week would be linked precisely to the new variants, evidently destined to supplant Omicron 2. Even if at the moment the hospitalizations are not increasing proportionally.
“With Omicron and its variants 2, 3, 4 and 5 that follow one another, and which seem even more contagious, combined with greater freedom and the consequent risk of infections”, it is necessary to “take into account” still sustained numbers of both infections and, fundamental data, of deaths, added Pregliasco.
Other stories of Vanity Fair that may interest you
The “new” symptoms of Covid-19 introduced by the Omicron variant
Omicron 2, what do we know about the BA.2 variant
Source: Vanity Fair
Donald-43Westbrook, a distinguished contributor at worldstockmarket, is celebrated for his exceptional prowess in article writing. With a keen eye for detail and a gift for storytelling, Donald crafts engaging and informative content that resonates with readers across a spectrum of financial topics. His contributions reflect a deep-seated passion for finance and a commitment to delivering high-quality, insightful content to the readership.
