Just when the world thought that the pandemic was bidding us all a goodbye, omicron came in as a surprise. A surprise that made nobody happy. The world had just started to become normal again, and people were just beginning to regain their life’s momentum, but then, omicron struck. It almost feels as if the understanding that countries had of Covid-19 has broken and shattered considering the speed at which the new variant, omicron, research, is spreading.
Many questions remain unanswered concerning the variant and how it affects all vaccinated, unvaccinated, or previously had a Covid infection. Despite this, experts are making progress in their understanding of the variant.
The spike protein of Omicron, which was discovered in South Africa on November 24, contains 32 mutations. According to the WHO, Omicron is a Variant of Concern because of its high transmissibility and ability to evade the immune system (WHO). Hospitalizations decreased as South Africa prepared for a wave of sick patients, even as the number of Omicron cases increased.
Is Omicron as kind as it seems?
During the Omicron wave, only 41.3% of Covid-positive people who visited a hospital emergency room required admission, compared to 68-69 percent during the Delta wave, according to a South African study published in JAMA Network In the Omicron wave, just 17.6% of patients required oxygen therapy, compared to 74% in the Delta wave.
Patients with compromised immune systems, those who haven’t been vaccinated, and unvaccinated people may all be at risk from the spread of Omicron, which is highly contagious. This rapid spread of Omicron has been attributed to its greater transmissibility, which is 1.5-2 times more than that of Delta.
Do the symptoms of Omicron appear quickly?
A person infected with omicron may experience symptoms in as little as three days, compared to a week with prior versions, according to preliminary research.
The omicron version has a shorter incubation period than other highly contagious viruses, making scientific sense. However, additional research is needed. As a matter of fact, its primary objective is to infect the most significant number of people as rapidly as possible.
Some common symptoms of Omicron are:
- Fatigue
- Sore Throat
- High Fever
- Continuous Cough
- Headache
How to treat Omicron at home?
The use of masks and sanitizers is mandatory, but so is the preparation of the body and immune system for the battle against the virus in the first place. Short-term immunity boosters won’t help in this situation. Instead, change your lifestyle, adopt healthy habits, and eat the proper meals for the long term to get the best results. Immunity building cannot be accomplished in a weekend or a week but instead requires a long-term commitment.
Make sure you’re getting enough water
The immune system relies heavily on water for proper functioning, as does the rest of the body. Immune cells travel throughout the body in lymph, fluid in the circulatory system. Since water makes up the majority of the body’s composition, becoming dehydrated can result in sluggishness and, in some cases, a compromised immune system.
Relieve tension
Stress can lead to a variety of illnesses, so it’s important to get it out of your system. In order to alleviate stress, it is crucial to practice frequent conscious breathing and meditation. In addition, stress can interfere with the body’s natural defense mechanisms, making it more vulnerable to disease.
Exercising regularly
In order to maintain good health and a robust immune system, it is critical to engage in regular physical activity. Immune cells and other molecules are more likely to spread throughout the body due to increased circulation as a result of regular exercise.
Regular health checkups
Vitamin D, calcium, iron, and other vital nutrients can be determined through regular health checks. To make treatment even more accessible, it aids in the early detection of disease. As the saying goes, ignorance is bliss when it comes to health.
Concentrate on nutrition
Our experience with the pandemic has shown us that no supplement can cure or prevent the illness. In order to stay healthy, one must take steps to increase their immune system’s capacity. Inflammation and unstable compounds can be treated with antioxidant-rich foods such as broccoli, kale, strawberries, green tea, and other antioxidant-rich foods like pecans, blueberries, spinach, and walnuts. In addition, boost your immune system by eating foods like ashwagandha, tulsi, and giloy, which are immune boosters.
Spices
We are all aware that Indian spices can heal almost any disease when used in the right combinations. As a result, season your meals with spices such as cinnamon, pepper, cardamom, star anise, and cloves. Also, don’t forget to include dried turmeric and dried ginger. Both of these have some fantastic anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.
Sleep
Every night, without fail, get at least 8 hours of sleep. When we sleep, our immune systems are built and replenished. So avoid sleeping during the day because if you do so, your body’s sleep cycle gets disturbed. This will prevent a sound sleep during the night, which will make your next day difficult.
Conclusion
Although Omicron is not as dangerous as the other variants, one shouldn’t take a risk against it. The remedies mentioned above will help your body fight against the various strains of Covid and help you maintain good physical and mental health. Staying calm, eating the right food, and ensuring that your sleep cycle is not disturbed is the best way to fight this pandemic.
