The new variant of the coronavirus is giving sleepless nights to healthcare workers and citizens worldwide. Visiting hospitals for consulting a doctor seems quite challenging under such alarming circumstances. Telemedicine comes as a better and safer alternative where one can consult a virtual doctor right from one’s home.
So, if you want to have a detailed understanding of Omicron, its symptoms, prevention, and cure measures, you can get an online consultation to answer all your queries on the same. Online apps like Bajaj Finserv Health can provide you with the best virtual doctor appointments and other related healthcare facilities, all under one umbrella with a few clicks on your smart gadgets.
Here Is All You Need to Know About the Omicron Variant.
Overview
- Omicron, a new variant of coronavirus, was first identified on the 24th of November, 2021, in South Africa.
- Its scientific name is SARS-CoV-2 variant: B.1.1.529.
- This variant has many mutations and has rapidly spread over 30 countries worldwide.
Statistics
Before the new Omicron variant, India registered 3.46 crore cases, out of which 3.4 crore had recovered. The country has successfully administered 125.75 crore vaccinations doses so far now. Statistics reveal that the Omicron variant may be spreading faster and is more transmissible than the Delta variant, but it is not as deadly as the latter.
Symptoms
The symptoms of the new Omicron variant can be classified as under:
- Most Common symptoms: Fever, tiredness, cough, loss of smell or taste.
- Less Common symptoms: Headache, sore throat, diarrhoea, body pains, discolouration of fingers or toes, rash on the skin.
- Serious symptoms: Difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, loss of speech or mobility, confusion, or chest pain.
Testing
A standard PCR test is conducted to detect whether you are covid positive or not. However, a genetic analysis must be conducted to determine whether the variant is Omicron.
Vaccinations
How effective the vaccines are on the new variant, Omicron, is yet to be determined. However, as per WHO, the vaccines protect and decrease the chances of severity in contracting this variant.
Prevention
Being prevention is the best strategy to handle the spread of the Omicron variant. Here are some of the preventive measures that you need to practice at all times:
- Wear a mask at all times, ensuring it covers your nose and mouth.
- Keep a distance of 6 feet from others, be it in a closed area or out in the open.
- Avoid going to crowded places.
- Ensure there is proper ventilation when inside a closed place and that the windows are open.
- Peep washing your hands with soap and water, especially when you come back home from outside.
- Get your vaccination doses done as they are the only way to escape the deadly effect of the coronavirus. Be it the new Omicron variant, vaccinations guard and protect you to quite an extent, and the effect is not that severe even if you happen to contract it.
How to Cope With Omicron?
Coronavirus in any variant is quite stressful. However, you need to cope with it and face the music if you test positive or your family members.
- Stay calm, and do not panic.
- Think positive, but do not think too much about the future.
- Keep doing breathing exercises and physical exercises, and take proper care of your mind and body.
- Keep wearing a mask at all times and maintain social distancing from others around you.
- Involve yourself in activities that you enjoy and that you can do alone, like reading, playing solo games, doing some craft, and so on.
Final Take
Governments worldwide are taking the necessary precautions and even spreading awareness amongst their citizens regarding the necessary preventions to curb the spread of the Omicron variant. But what is essential is self-realization and necessary efforts to be taken at the individual levels by one and all.
Together the world can fight the spread of the deadly coronavirus, but only if we collectively work towards it in the best interest of entire humanity as a whole. To know more about the Omicron variant, you can even book an online consultation on the Bajaj Finserv Health app and get answers to all your questions related to it.