Coronavirus: The Omicron symptom that is the most common in fully vaccinated COVID-19 patients

COVID-19 vaccines have provided a great sense of hope and light in these dark, baneful times. Not only have they helped in preventing severe infections, but they have also minimized the risk of hospitalisation and deaths. But at a time, when new variants continue to emerge and wreak havoc, have the COVID-19 vaccines really stepped up and proved effective? Let's find out.

Also read: Coronavirus: How to know if you have caught Omicron or a Delta infection?

Recent findings suggest that the new coronavirus variant, Omicron, has the potential to escape vaccine-induced immunity. Given that it has over 30 mutations in the spike protein, experts have said that it could develop an immune-escape mechanism, which helps them evade vaccine protection.

While unvaccinated individuals remain at a greater risk of contracting the virus and developing severe illness, according to health agencies, breakthrough infections can occur and lead to various ailments.

According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), "Current vaccines are expected to protect against severe illness, hospitalizations, and deaths due to infection with the Omicron variant. However, breakthrough infections in people who are fully vaccinated are likely to occur."

Additionally, in a recent update, the World Health Organization (WHO) said that current COVID-19 vaccines may need to be reworked to ensure they are effective against Omicron and future variants of the coronavirus. This only suggests that the Omicron variant avoids some of the antibodies induced by two vaccine doses and therefore the existing vaccines may need to be updated accordingly.

Although available COVID-19 vaccines provide a certain level of protection against the SARs-COV-2 virus, studies have shown that breakthrough infections can occur in partially and fully vaccinated individuals.

A breakthrough infection occurs when a person who has received one of both the doses of a COVID-19 vaccine contracts the virus. He or she either remains asymptomatic or develops mild to moderate symptoms. In some cases, one may also develop severe illnesses, leading to hospitalisation and in very rare circumstances, death.

Also read: Coronavirus: Symptoms of Omicron induced infection to watch out for

During the second wave in India, a large number of people, vaccinated and unvaccinated were infected with COVID-19. However, data reveals that a higher percentage of severely ill patients consisted of unvaccinated people.

It has come to light that the new variant is comparatively milder than the previously existing variants, especially the Delta. Doctors have noted that most infected patients develop cold-like symptoms, and get better on their own.

Having said that, if you're someone who has received their standard COVID shots, watch out for any sign of sore, scratchy throat, says Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady.

Earlier in a Facebook live, she said, "Especially in people who we're seeing these more mild breakthrough infections, we are definitely seeing sore throat be a predictor in that group."

She also encourages people with cold- or flu-like symptoms to assume they have COVID-19 "until proven otherwise."

The UK's ZOE Covid study is of the same opinion and has constantly urged people to NOT take their symptoms lightly. Apart from the sore throat, some of the other Omicron symptoms include fatigue, fever, body pain, night sweats, sneezing, runny nose, nausea and loss of appetite.

Unlike the Delta, Omicron is less likely to cause loss of sense of smell and taste.

For people who develop any of the above-mentioned symptoms, it is important to get yourself tested and make sure you isolate until the symptoms are gone. The CDC recently revised its isolation guidelines and recommends people with COVID-19 to isolate for 5 days. "If they are asymptomatic or their symptoms are resolving (without fever for 24 hours), follow that by 5 days of wearing a mask when around others to minimize the risk of infecting people they encounter," the US health agency adds.

While recent COVID-19 cases seem to be mild, experts still urge people to take all preventive measures. The heavily mutated and highly virulent variant has impacted many countries and continues to spread rampantly accross the world.

That said, wear your masks, do not attend gatherings, maintain social distancing and avoid crowded areas. At any sign of symptoms, do not dismiss it as a cold, instead get tested and isolate.