In the case of XBB.1.16, its new mutations may impact its ability to spread and evade immunity, experts say. The experts emphasize that we're still learning about XBB.1.16 as it continues to spread. Studies suggest that Omicron infections can last in the body for up to 10 days. "This leaves open the opportunity for new variants that evade the vaccines to emerge, so we need to continue to vaccinate as much of the U.S. and global population as possible.". For many, particularly people who are fully vaccinated and have received a. If you touch the pinkeye infection, you can get (it) on your hands and transmit it to someone else, says Schaffner. Here's what to know, If you've had COVID-19, here's what you need to know about blood clots, New study uncovers the 7 most common long COVID symptoms. That means you could be protected for four to six months. Its part of the omicron extended family, if you will, says Schaffner. Should You Test for COVID Before Your Omicron Booster? The information in this article is current as of the date listed, which means newer information may be available when you read this. All those things are making things very, very sort of muddled in terms of trying to make simple statements about what's happening.. "COVID-19 vaccines are doing exactly what they're supposed to do prevent severe illness, hospitalization, and death. "It looks very much like XBB.1.5, which is the dominant variant in the U.S. and has been the dominant variant here and in many other countries for some time," Dr. Andy Pekosz, a virologist at Johns Hopkins University, tells TODAY.com. IE 11 is not supported. People infected with flu typically develop symptoms 1-4 days after infection. We spoke to experts to find out. This is the same timeframe observed during the Delta wave, but slightly shorter than the two week endurance of the initial COVID-19 strain. The Omicron variant has an incubation period of about three days, which is . Estimates for this exposure-to-symptom gap, called the incubation period, clocked in at about five days for Alpha and four days for Delta. And while some reports say gastrointestinal symptoms are also more common with Omicron than previous variants, evidence from the ZOE COVID-19 Study suggests GI issues were just as prevalent with Alpha and Delta. Still, experts say there's not a big difference between an Omicron infection and a Delta infection. 2022;399(10335):1618-1624. doi:10.1016/s0140-6736(22)00327-0. However, the majority of breakthrough infections are not causing severe illness, as compared to early in the pandemic when no one had immunity. There are exceptions for those individuals, particularly those already considered at high risk for severe COVID-19 illness, who end up experiencing post-COVID syndrome otherwise known as "Long" Covid. Unfortunately, it's impossible to know how long a breakthrough case will present symptoms, as each case is unique and your personal health history may influence the length (and severity) of your recovery. At-Home COVID-19 antigen tests-Take steps to reduce your risk of false negative: FDA safety communication. "I think it requires more data before we can make a firm conclusion.. The Omicron variant is more capable of evading natural immunity, and the interval between infection and reinfection with COVID-19 may be shorter. However, its important to note that they can be contagious before that, and that not everyone will develop symptoms. The WHO said it is "carefully monitoring" for signs of increased severity in a risk assessment of XBB.1.16. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2022;71(14):524526. You can also sign up to get four free COVID test kits that are mailed to you from the federal government. Immune boosting by B.1.1.529(Omicron) depends on previous SARS-CoV-2 exposure. Just like COVID-19 vaccinations, a previous COVID infection provides a high level of immunity against infection. Steals & Deals: Wireless speakers, smartphone stands, Solawave and morestarting at $22. The CDC has backed a second round of reformulated bivalent booster shots for adults over 65 and those with weakened immune systems, which will be available in the fall, NBC News reported. Omicron Variants BQ.1 and BQ.1.1 Are Now Dominant in U.S. How Long Will COVID-19 Vaccine-Induced Immunity Last? If you're unvaccinated or not yet fully vaccinated, the CDC advises that you get tested on days 4, 5, or 6 following exposure if you have no symptoms. Generally speaking, Omicron and its subvariants cause more mild disease than previous variants like Delta. If you are eligible to get your second booster dose but you recently got infected with Omicron, you can choose to get the shot as soon as youve fully recovered. "They're starting to do this the way we do routinely with our influenza vaccine, which we update on an annual basis," says Schaffner, adding that annual boosters could become a norm in the future, especially for higher-risk groups. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Still testing positive for COVID-19 after 10 days? By Carla Delgado It spreads very readily. On April 17, WHO designated XBB.1.16 a "variant of interest." Moss says determining Omicron immunity is complex for the following reasons: High levels of antibodies likely last for four to six months after infection with Omicron, as for earlier variants, in most otherwise healthy individuals, Moss said. Its an mRNA vaccine that targets the original SARS-CoV-2 virus and another component found in both the omicron BA.4 and BA.5 strains. Yes. A new omicron subvariant, XBB.1.16, is spreading in the United States, and some doctors are reporting that it may be causing unusual symptoms. Doctors have anecdotally observed that Artcturus, or XBB.1.16, may be causing pinkeye, or conjunctivitis, experts tell TODAY.com. So far, this is something distinctive that's an annoyance.". Its important to know if you're infected with COVID-19 for three reasons: Most likely. Experts Examine Average Recovery Timelines, Experts Reveal Common Omicron Subvariant Symptoms. The research team analyzed blood samples from 731 U.K. healthcare workers who received three doses of mRNA vaccine and had different SARS-CoV-2 infection histories, to investigate immunity against Omicron. "Reinfection is less likely in the weeks to months after infection," the CDC guidance page reads. While people may choose to mask at any time, it's still recommended that people in high-transmission areas remain vigilant and mask indoors in public. Breakthrough infections are in people who have been vaccinated or previously had COVID. However, the evidence is not clear about how protective Omicron infection is for future infections. The XBB.1.16 Omicron subvariant is increasing, with anecdotal reports that it may be causing some unusual symptoms like pink eye. The shortened incubation period also means that people may test positive sooner, due to emerging symptoms. But this particular strain of the virus hasn't been known to be increasingly deadly or incapacitating for those who have stayed up to date on their vaccination series. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2021;70:17821784. All of the variants, including omicron BA.5, cause similar COVID-19 symptoms: Even people who have partial immunity from a previous infection or vaccination can still have a breakthrough infection. And while Omicron may be somewhat milder, it spreads more easily than earlier variants, including the Delta variant. Read further to learn how immune responses address cold-like symptoms at the onset of a breakthrough COVID-19 sickness, giving you a picture of how long you'll likely need to make a full recovery. But experts add that those who continue to test positive via rapid, at-home tests should still be considered infectious, and remain quarantined to minimize the risk of getting others around them sick. Carla M. Delgado is a health and culture writer based in the Philippines. Telehealth video visits and Express Care are also available. Healthcare providers have noted that breakthrough infection symptoms associated with this highly contagious variant are remaining mild a much different reality than for those who are unvaccinated, or are experiencing a second or third reinfection. What do these omicron variants tell us about future COVID-19 strains? Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Last week, XBB.1.16 accounted for an estimated 10% of cases in the U.S. compared to about 6% the previous week, according to the latest data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But its alright if you dont want to get the shot right away. How COVID-19 spreads. Since very early in the pandemic, we've known that older individuals are among those most susceptible to severe outcomes from Covid-19. If you're currently in recovery from a breakthrough COVID-19 case, you may be wondering if it's too late to get a third or fourth vaccine dose. To help limit spread of COVID-19, we have policies for visits to our hospital and outpatient clinics. According to a May 2022 study published in the journal Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, compared to rates of smell and taste loss during the early phase of the pandemic in 2020 before variants were identified, chances of smell and taste loss were just 17% for Omicron, 44% for Delta, and 50% for the Alpha variant. Earlier in the pandemic, Covid symptoms could drag on. But a few existing studies suggest people are unlikely to remain infectious after 10 days. How long am I contagious with an omicron subvariant? Consider upgrading your face masks to N95s or KN95s if you want more protection. "The most distinct aspect of (Arcturus) is that it has a tendency to produce inflammation of the external part of the eye and eyelids, says Schaffner, adding that this can cause itching, redness, swelling and tearing or discharge that lasts for about a week. 2022;5(8):e2227241. Experts assume that the elderly and those with underlying conditions will have less robust immune protection from an Omicron infection, just as they did to prior variants and to vaccines, Stanley H. Weiss, MD, professor of medicine at the Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, told Verywell. How Long Does COVID-19 Stay In Your Body? Learn more about the flu and how to get your flu shot from UC Davis Health. If you test positive for COVID-19 at home, you can contact your primary care provider about a prescription for Paxlovid. The bivalent vaccines also broaden the immune response, which is expected to improve protection against future variants and extend the strength of protection. There isn't any clear indicator that the variant is targeting specific populations yet, he adds. Anyone with Omicron infection, regardless of vaccination status or whether or not they have symptoms, can spread the virus to others. Given how infectious BA.5 is, its important for everyone to take all precautions, including getting vaccinated and wearing a well-fitted face mask (N95 or KN95, if possible). The following is the amount of time other variants were found to last on skin: Original: 8.6 hours. "We have to remember that 200 to 250 die every day of COVID in the United States," says Schaffner. Prior to joining GH in 2019, Zee fostered a nutrition background as an editor at Cooking Light and is continually developing his grasp of holistic health through collaboration with leading academic experts and clinical care providers. Every time COVID-19 infects someone, theres a chance for more mutations, which can allow the virus to keep spreading. XBB.1.16 was first reported to the World Health Organization in January 2023. Overall, its crucial to stay up to date with your COVID-19 vaccinations and continue practicing safety precautions. It may be hard to tell the illnesses apart based on symptoms alone, but there are three key differences, according to the CDC: You can get your flu shot and COVID-19 bivalent booster from UC Davis Health. Omicron and its subvariants have shorter incubation periods, which means it takes less time for symptoms to appear after exposure to the virus. That's because infectiousness declines much more quickly in immunocompetent people, according to MacDonald. Data Suggests Omicron Infections Last 10 Days After Symptom Onset, Vaccination Status Might Not Impact Recovery Time, What You Need to Know About the XBB.1.16 'Arcturus' Variant, Antibodies From Vaccines vs. Antibodies From Natural Infection. National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Japan. Overall, experts believe that the most robust protection is through vaccination and boosters, which means it's important "to not rely on natural immunity to be highly protective for Omicron," MacDonald said. However, a later study reported in Nature in July 2022 suggests that, while the Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants may be stealthier at evading the immune system than all of their predecessors, a prior Omicron infection is substantially more effective to protect against reinfection than any previous COVID-19 variant.