If You Have This Symptom for More Than 3 Days Without a Fever... Suspect Omicron

As the Omicron variant virus has become the dominant strain, it has been identified that the symptom of 'sore throat' appears more frequently than the representative COVID-19 symptom of 'fever'.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Sumi] As the Omicron variant virus becomes the dominant strain, it has been identified that symptoms of 'sore throat' appear more frequently than the representative COVID-19 symptom of 'fever'.

According to the quarantine authorities on the 12th, Professor Kim Min-kyung of the Infectious Diseases Department at the National Medical Center stated at the regular COVID-19 briefing, "The most common symptoms that Omicron-infected individuals can recognize are sore throat, runny nose, headache, sneezing, and fatigue." She added, "These symptoms are milder than those of the previous Delta variant, and fever symptoms also subside more quickly."

Omicron is mainly known to cause upper respiratory tract infections, similar to common cold symptoms. Experts analyze that it shows a somewhat different pattern from the Delta variant, which infects the lower respiratory tract and causes pneumonia.

Accordingly, experts recommend that if symptoms such as a sore throat, cough, or runny nose persist for more than three days, individuals should undergo rapid antigen testing or use self-diagnostic kits.

Even if infected with Omicron, fever symptoms may not appear. Fever occurs due to an immune response, and since the current vaccination rate is high and antibodies have been formed to some extent, fever may not develop, according to experts.

Although the prevailing opinion is that Omicron symptoms are mild and the rate of severe cases is low, the fatality rate has been found to be about twice that of seasonal influenza. Therefore, if breathing difficulties occur after being confirmed with Omicron, it is advisable to suspect a warning sign and visit a hospital.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.