5 signs your child might have the omicron variant

Cases of the omicron variant of the coronavirus continue to surge across the country, infecting adults, young adults and children alike.

• But distinguishing between the common cold and the omicron variant has been harder to do since the variant is similar to a normal cold.

But Dr. Harish Chafle, a senior consultant of pulmonology and critical care at Global Hospital, Parel, Mumbai, told The Hindustan Times that children are at risk for developing infection — especially when they’re unvaccinated.

He listed five symptoms to keep an eye out for when it comes to the omicron variant:

1. Fever.
2. Runny nose.
3. Throat pain.
4. Body ache.
5. Dry cough.

According to The New York Times, early research data on the omicron variant suggests that the omicron variant causes mild COVID-19 symptoms and illness among vaccinated children.

• However, experts said that the omicron variant has led to a rise in severe COVID-19 symptoms and hospitalizations among unvaccinated children, as I wrote for the Deseret News. Children under 5 years old proved to be vulnerable because they’re unvaccinated.

Chafle told The Hindustan Times that adults need to practice proper COVID-19 rules to keep children safe.

• “As far as protecting children is concerned, we know wearing masks is the only full proof way we can prevent any variant infecting them. So, for the same to happen in this age group, adults should start following covid appropriate behavior and set a role model for children to follow. Adults should wear mask properly so that the young ones learn to wear mask and of course follow hand hygiene,” he said.