The Omicron variant of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus continues to spread more rapidly across the U.S. than any previous variant,  prompting many people to wonder if the staggering number of new infections will lead to an equally dismaying number of long-COVID cases. 

Experts agree that more time is needed to gather data about the long-term effects of Omicron infections, but they see no reason to assume that Omicron won’t result in at least some cases of post-COVID syndrome. Here’s what we know to date. 

Does Omicron Cause the Same Acute Symptoms as Other Variants?

Though hospitalizations for Omicron are rising in the U.S., particularly among the unvaccinated, on the whole, the majority of patients seem to be experiencing milder, more cold-like symptoms with Omicron than with the original strain or early variants, such as:

• Body aches
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Runny nose
• Sneezing 
• Sore throat

“Though there is some indication that the Omicron variant spreads more easily,” said Dr. Scott Lillibridge, physician, epidemiologist, and the director of emergency response for International Medical Corps, “fortunately, the early data seem to indicate that the variant may cause less severe disease within the population.” Experts warn that this could be due to greater immunity through vaccines or previous infections and not to take the variant lightly. 

“Many Omicron infections in the U.S. are breakthrough infections [infections in vaccinated persons] as the majority of the population is fully vaccinated,” said Dr. Marisa Montecalvo, professor of medicine and medical director for NYMC Health Services at New York Medical College. “One expects a less severe course in a vaccinated person.” This will not always be the case, however. 

How Many New Cases of Long COVID Are Expected?

It is now well-known that even mild cases of COVID-19 can trigger chronic symptoms. Said U.S. infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci, “Long COVID can happen no matter what virus variant occurs. There’s no evidence that there’s any difference between Delta or Beta or now Omicron.” 

Some experts believe that the incidence (rate of new cases) of long COVID may be lower than that of the original virus or previous variants, as Omicron does not seem to cause a high or persistent rise in inflammatory markers in the body during infection. 

Tracking long-COVID cases is a challenge, however. Different countries, and even different institutions, have given the condition their own definitions and parameters. In the U.S., the CDC requires symptoms to persist for at least four weeks in order to qualify as long COVID. In the U.K., the requirement is three months. 

When Should I Seek Treatment?

Shortness of breath, difficulty concentrating, and fatigue lasting longer than two or three weeks are the symptoms most in need of further investigation, says Lillibridge. If you continue to experience these or other troubling symptoms after your infection, follow up with your healthcare provider. Symptoms associated with acute disease during infection, such as runny nose, sore throat, breathlessness, fever, muscle aches, lethargy, and sometimes diarrhea and nausea, should resolve within 10 to 14 days.

Reinfections can also cause flare-ups, as in the case of a Spanish healthcare worker who contracted the original strain in February 2020, the Delta variant in July 2021, and Omicron in November 2021. The reinfections, said the patient, have caused chronic pain, fatigue, and memory loss, along with other symptoms.

Ultimately, says Montecalvo, “I would suggest one speak with their physician at any point in which they are concerned about a symptom. One would not want to attribute a symptom to ‘long COVID’ that could be a manifestation of another problem.” 

*Nicola Sakay, Y. (2022, Jan. 18). Omicron and Long COVID: What We Know So Far. Healthline.   https://www.healthline.com/health-news/omicron-and-long-covid-what-we-know-so-far

Much about the novel coronavirus, i.e., COVID-19, is still not fully understood. As research progresses and our knowledge of the virus increases, information can change rapidly. We strive to update all of our articles as quickly as possible, but there may occasionally be some lag between scientific developments and our revisions.