If you’ve tested positive for COVID and recovered, one of the main concerns you may have is developing long-haul symptoms. With Omicron cases spiking, many people are worried about how their health will be affected down the line. Since Omicron is considered milder compared to other variants, is that good news? Does it make a difference with long-haul symptoms and can Omicron cause long COVID? Here’s what we know so far.
Can Omicron cause long COVID?
While Omicron is on the mild end of the spectrum and less likely to cause hospitalization, a “mild” symptom varies from person to person. “Mild symptoms can look different for everyone, and the long-term chronic implications of the Omicron variant specifically are still unknown,” Dr. Jyotsna Shah, PhD, President of IGeneX, Inc., explains. ‘Echoing Dr. Fauci, no matter the severity of your symptoms when infected with COVID-19 or the Omicron variant, long COVID is always possible.” Long COVID can present upwards of 50 different symptoms. As of now, the main symptoms of acute Omicron infection are a sore throat, runny nose, and extreme fatigue. “If you experience these symptoms and go on to continue experiencing any form of chronic fatigue, brain fog, chest pain, etc- call your GP and seek out a specialist that can help rule long COVID in or out as an official diagnosis,” says Dr. Shah.
The long-term effects of Omicron symptoms
According to the CDC, long COVID can be considered an official diagnosis if you have been experiencing symptoms for four or more weeks. “With Omicron having only recently surged, we should know more about the incidence rate of Omicron induced long COVID soon,” Dr. Shah states. “It is critically important to remember that long COVID is possible with all COVID-19 variants.” In other words, time will tell—but we will know more in the upcoming weeks and months as patterns begin to emerge.
When should you seek help for long COVID?
Those suffering from long COVID experience a variety of symptoms that can vary in severity, and as a result, may seem unrelated. “It is important to be your own best advocate when in the doctor’s office so you can receive the care you deserve,” says Dr. Shah. “I recommend beginning a notebook to document your daily symptoms effectively to your doctor.” Tracking your symptoms can help you and your doctor when it comes to finding an effective treatment plan. The sooner you seek help for your symptoms, the sooner your doctor can help you find answers to your ailments and begin effectively treating you. If you are experiencing any long COVID symptoms that lower your quality of life, seek help. For more severe long COVID patients that are experiencing any kind of cardiac disruption, neurological lapses or breathing difficulty- seek immediate medical attention, Dr. Shah adds.
Does being vaccinated lower your chances of getting long COVID?
Being vaccinated can help mitigate symptoms but it doesn’t mean that you can’t have long-term symptoms.
“Although vaccines are incredibly effective at keeping infected individuals out of the hospital, there is no guarantee that you will not contract COVID-19,” says Dr. Shah. “Any individual infected with COVID-19 is at risk of developing long COVID.”
Can vaccines help if you already have long COVID?
If you’re able, individuals that have already had COVID-19 or are experiencing long COVID should get vaccinated. Unfortunately, at this time there is not enough peer-reviewed research to indicate whether vaccines will directly impact long COVID symptoms, Dr. Shah explains, but being vaccinated will lower your risk of reinfection and make your cause less severe if you get it. Next up: Here’s What Having Long COVID Is Really Like.
Sources
Dr. Jyotsna Shah, PhD, President of IGeneX, Inc.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: “Post COVID Conditions”
