Introduction
If you’ve been feeling under the weather lately, it could be a sign that you have an Omicron infection. Omicron infections are caused by a virus that can cause a range of symptoms, from mild to severe. In this article, we’ll discuss the common signs and symptoms of an Omicron infection, as well as the foods you should eat and avoid if you think you may have an Omicron infection. By following the advice in this article, you can help to reduce your risk of developing a more serious infection and get back to feeling your best.
Sure Signs You Have an Omicron Infection
If you’re experiencing any of the following symptoms, you may have an Omicron infection:
- Fever
- Chills
- Headache
- Muscle aches
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Loss of appetite
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s important to seek medical attention right away. Omicron infections can be serious and can lead to complications if left untreated.
Eat This, Not That
If you’ve been diagnosed with an Omicron infection, it’s important to pay attention to your diet. Eating the right foods can help your body fight off the infection and speed up your recovery. Here are some foods to eat and avoid:
Eat This
- Fruits and vegetables
- Whole grains
- Lean proteins
- Low-fat dairy products
- Healthy fats
Not That
- Processed foods
- Sugary drinks
- Refined grains
- High-fat meats
- Fried foods
Eating a healthy, balanced diet can help your body fight off the infection and speed up your recovery. Be sure to talk to your doctor about any dietary changes you’re considering.
The United States is finally seeing a steep drop in COVID cases, but experts warn us the pandemic isn’t over. Another surge is likely to happen due to new variants and an uptick in cases currently happening overseas. While Omicron isn’t severe for many people, it should still be taken seriously because it can cause long-term effects like brain fog, mood changes, sleep issues and more. Eat This, Not That! Health spoke with experts who reveal what the signs of Omicron are that indicate you could have the virus and what preventive measures to take. Read on—and to ensure your health and the health of others, don’t miss these Sure Signs You’ve Already Had COVID.
Dr. Teresa Amato, MD, chair of emergency medicine at Long Island Jewish Forest Hills (LIJ Forest Hills) in Queens says, “Fever and chills are often the sign of any infection, however if you are in an area that is seeing a surge in Omicron COVID infections, it would be important to get tested as soon as possible to ensure proper treatment and to practice appropriate isolation precautions. The body uses its ability to increase body temperature as a means to make the environment lethal for an infecting virus which tends to thrive at what is a normal body temperature. Your body is essentially trying to burn the virus to death.”
Dr. Amato states, “The Omicron COVID variant, much like other variants, is often primarily a respiratory infection because it is passed by droplets which enter the body through the respiratory system. Once the infection starts to penetrate the body, the body mounts an inflammatory response which can cause swelling and irritation to the lining of the upper airway and throat. This in turn may lead to the sensation of pain as the inflammatory process is taking place.”
According to Dr. Amato, “Like many other viruses, the Omicron COVID variant can cause lethargy and feeling tired as well as pain experienced in muscles and joints. Once the virus has taken hold and is replicating quickly the immune system starts to kick in high gear throwing many inflammatory measures at the virus. During this time the inflammation can cause aches and pain. In addition it takes a lot of energy to fight off the virus and your body will naturally feel the need to sleep and rest so that there is no unnecessary use of available resources.”
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“The Omicron variant with its lineages and sub-lineages (BA. 1, BA. 1.1 and BA. 2) of the COVID-19 virus are the most prevalent of COVID infections in the United States at this time,” says Dr. Amato. “It does appear to be more transmissible than previous variants and researchers are still studying why this is so. Although some symptoms are more common such as fever, cough, sore throat and body aches, some people have less common symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea with little to no respiratory symptoms. The reason for this is probably multifactorial and may depend on which variant of the virus is causing the infection as well as the individual’s own immune system.”
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Dr. Emil Tsai, M.D.– Ph.D., M.A.S., chief scientist and CEO of SyneuRx explains, “Regrettably, we don’t have any new tricks for prevention. We should still get vaccinated, keep our distance from those who can’t get vaccinated, the elderly and those with underlying medical conditions. We must also get tested whenever we are in direct contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 or if we are experiencing symptoms, do our part to avoid large crowds, and wear high-quality masks (N95, KN95, or KF94) in indoor spaces because of this very contagious coronavirus strain.”
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Follow the public health fundamentals and help end this pandemic, no matter where you live—get vaccinated or boosted ASAP; if you live in an area with low vaccination rates, wear an N95 face mask, don’t travel, social distance, avoid large crowds, don’t go indoors with people you’re not sheltering with (especially in bars), practice good hand hygiene, and to protect your life and the lives of others, don’t visit any of these 35 Places You’re Most Likely to Catch COVID.