All You Need to Know About Omicron: The Latest Covid-19 Variant

The rise of the omicron strain gave the world a major halt, given its transmission rates faster than the original COVID-19 virus. Let's look at why it is different and what you can do, including the expenses, if you fall sick.

 

How Does the Omicron Virus Spread?

The virulent form of the SARS-CoV-2 has been extremely infectious from the very beginning of the spread of the disease. With the Delta variant, this infectious nature only saw a hike in how it affected people. The COVID-19 infection transmits through naso-buccal fluids. It is a droplet infection transmitted through body fluids and enters the body through the respiratory tract. Hence, the precautions include covering up your mouth and nose to prevent the spread of the disease. 

 

The virus can also live on external surfaces for an extended period of several hours, which is why it is advised that you wash your hands before you touch your mouth and nose. The Omicron variant has been the most infectious of all the variants. The Omicron variant successfully infects a healthy body even when the viral levels are lower than those of the other variants like the Delta variant. 

 

The increased transmissibility is attributed to the virus undergoing the evolution to overcome the resistance of the vaccine and other adversely affecting elements. 

 

Omicron Symptoms and How they are Different from the Previous Variants

The initial symptoms of the fever-induced due to COVID-'19 included chills, sneezing, gradually leading to loss of sense of taste, smell, and persistent cold with the previous variants. However, in the case of the Omicron variant, sneezing and fever are elementary symptoms followed by a headache. However, a cold or loss of taste and smell is not common. There have been no signs of gastric distress, which was previously seen with the Delta variant.

 

The symptoms indicative of a possible SARS-CoV-2 Omicron infection are - cough, shortness of breath, nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat, headache, muscle ache, fever, and chills. Also, it is less likely to affect the lungs than the other strains.

 

Omicron Treatment:

The extremely infectious Omicron strain is also causing breakthrough infections. Breakthrough infections refer to the act of getting affected by the virus and getting sick even if one has been vaccinated and boosted. This drops the percentage of protection against the disease substantially. Treatment for the infection includes antiviral medication and monoclonal antibody response. The treatments of higher degrees are reserved for high-intensity cases.

 

Medical expenses are on the high rise, requiring vast sums of money to carry out critical operations. People are very sceptical about the medical expenses once they are diagnosed with COVID-19 and have to undergo critical operations.

 

The Niva Bupa Corona Kavach plan helps in these critical cases as it has a coverage range starting from ₹50,000 to ₹ Five lakhs. Moreover, the plan covers up to 2 adults and four children. In addition, it covers comorbidities arising due to COVID-19. 

 

Preventive Measures: Masks & Vaccines

The preventive measures are the same as the other strains - wear a mask at all times, preferably one approved by the authorities.

 

• Wash your hands before eating or touching your face. 
• Wash your hands after touching anything when you go out. 
• Carry a sanitiser with an alcohol content of 70% and above. 
• Have a healthy diet and stay hydrated to help your immune system. 
• Get vaccinated if you aren't already. 

 

Vaccination against a disease like COVID-19 is not a sure-shot way of preventing the spread of the disease, but it has helped the cause a lot. First, it has helped the medical professionals to provide a layer of protection against the first two waves of the pandemic.

 

A vaccine refers to the passive immunity provided to an individual using a dead or weakened form of the infectious pathogen. This form helps the immune system fight itself and form antibodies that it will store as memory to combat the infection if it happens again.

 

Vaccines have helped eradicate many diseases - smallpox has been completely eradicated from the world. In contrast, India has been completely rid of polio due to passive immunity from the polio drops.

 

Many myths have been spread regarding vaccines, but they are safe. Millions of people across the globe have been vaccinated against SARS-COV-2 and have experienced little to no side effects due to it. Nevertheless, it is a step you must take at the earliest notice.

 

Having an active health insurance plan is a must in these times of uncertainty. The Niva Bupa Corona Kavach plan covers all of the possibilities that may arise due to COVID-19 and the conditions arising due to it. In addition, Niva Bupa has a claim settlement ratio of up to 90%, making it one of the best choices for protecting your health risks, especially corona-related.