Introduction
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a lot of confusion and fear among people all over the world. As the virus continues to spread, it is important to be aware of the symptoms associated with it. In particular, two variants of the virus, BA.4 and BA.5, have been identified as having certain symptoms that are associated with them. In this article, we will discuss the symptoms associated with BA.4 and BA.5 and provide some tips on what to eat and what to avoid in order to stay healthy. We will also provide some general advice on how to protect yourself from the virus.
These COVID Symptoms are Associated With BA.4 and BA.5
As the novel coronavirus continues to spread, it is important to be aware of the symptoms associated with the two most common variants of the virus, BA.4 and BA.5. While the symptoms of COVID-19 are generally the same regardless of the variant, there are some subtle differences that can help you identify which variant you may have.
BA.4 Symptoms
The most common symptoms associated with the BA.4 variant of the virus are:
- Fever
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- Loss of taste or smell
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
BA.5 Symptoms
The most common symptoms associated with the BA.5 variant of the virus are:
- Fever
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- Loss of taste or smell
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Sore throat
- Chills
If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible. It is also important to practice social distancing, wear a face mask, and wash your hands frequently to help prevent the spread of the virus.
Eat This, Not That
When it comes to eating to help prevent or reduce the symptoms of COVID-19, it is important to focus on eating foods that are high in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Eating a balanced diet that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins can help boost your immune system and reduce inflammation. Additionally, avoiding processed foods, sugary drinks, and foods high in saturated fat can help reduce your risk of developing serious complications from the virus.
Omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5 are causing a surge of cases across the US, and virus experts are concerned about how quickly they are spreading. “I think it could be our second worst surge in terms of numbers of cases,” says Peter Chin-Hong, MD, professor in the UCSF Health Division of Infectious Diseases. “We have to be careful. The real superpower of BA.5 is reinfections. And because BA.5 is new, if you got infected two or three weeks ago, it’s not likely BA.5, so you’re susceptible to reinfection.” Here are five symptoms of BA.4 and BA.5. Read on—and to ensure your health and the health of others, don’t miss these Sure Signs You’ve Already Had COVID.
A sore throat that feels like it’s burning could be a sign of BA.5, doctors warn. “Symptoms may be more painful,” says Dr. Chin-Hong. “Like their throat is on fire with BA.5. We hear it’s the worst sore throat they’ve had.”
“We’re hearing a lot about back and neck aches and pains,” says William Shaffner, MD, professor of medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. “It’s all anecdotal, but as people have looked at previous variants, the distinctions between the variants have not been very large.”
People infected with BA.4 and BA.5 are reporting a comeback in one of the original COVID-19 symptoms: a loss of smell and taste. “When you administer a smell test, we’re seeing about 25% of people have an impaired sense of smell, which is not a small number,” says Valentina Parma, psychologist at the Monell Chemical Senses Center in Philadelphia.
“I have talked to people overall about losing their taste and smell lately and it seems that there is an uptick, but the data isn’t there yet,” says Dr. Lora Bankova, an allergist and immunologist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston.
Think you’re safe from BA.4 and BA.5 if you’re outside? Think again.”Outdoors has never been a 100% safe zone,” says Thomas Russo, MD, professor and chief of infectious disease at the University at Buffalo in New York. “You’re much less likely to get infected outdoors than you are indoors—that’s unequivocal. However, if you’re in close quarters with an individual in close quarters for a longer period of time, you’re still at risk of getting infected.”
BA.4 and BA.5 are evading immune protection from previous infections and vaccinations, so virus experts are urging common sense to protect against infection (and reinfection). “Covid is still rampant in the population,” says Professor Tim Spector, who runs the ZOE Health Study. “Even if people have had a past infection and are fully vaccinated, people are still catching it. Although we all want to make the most of the good weather, people will need to decide for themselves whether going to large events, working from the office or using busy public transport is worth the risk.”
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.
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