COVID-19 variants, including Omicron BA.4 and BA.5, are making their way across Canada and North America. We list common symptoms of both in this post.
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Omicron BA.4 & BA.5 More Transmissible
New COVID-19 variants are bound to trigger dialogue about how symptoms will impact individual and public health - and the BA.4 and BA.5 Omicron subvariants are following a similar track.
The two newest subvariants are now dominant across the United States and may be more transmissible and immune evading than other Omicron variants, but experts believe the symptoms of these strains aren't very different.
In this post, we'll share what the symptoms of a BA.4 or BA.5 infection may be and whether these symptoms are significantly more severe than other COVID-19 strains.
Symptoms of BA.4 & BA.5 Variants
Similar to previous Omicron subvariants that have been dominant across the United States since December 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says BA.4 and BA.5 seem to be commonly causing respiratory or cold-like symptoms, including:
- Runny nose
- Congestion
- Cough
- Fatigue
- Sore throat
Sore throat is a common initial symptom of the BA.5 variant, along with diarrhea, headache and muscle pain. BA.4 and BA.5 infection symptoms seem to be similar to other Omicron variants, with similar severity. Hospitals continue to monitor ICU stays and COVID deaths closely to track significant changes.
Mild symptoms such as runny nose, sore throat, and cough can be dealt with at home.
Combine Awareness, Testing & Vaccines to Help Protect Your Health
While knowing the symptoms of Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 is important to early detection and monitoring of COVID-19, many people choose to vaccinate and test regularly for peace of mind or prior to travelling.
If you are hoping to travel in the near future or are looking for peace of mind, you might consider including COVID testing in your prevention regimen. Before you leave for your trip, remember that each country sets its own policies regarding approved tests and vaccines.
Depending on your destination, you may require either a negative COVID-19 test or a vaccination credential. You may also need to take a test to confirm you are COVID-free when arriving at your destination.
At COVID Travel Test, we can administer COVID-19 tests, including Antigen Tests and RT-PCR tests at our two locations. We can also answer any questions you may have about Covid Certificates.