Infection with the new coronavirus Omicron strain is widespread.
Even for free, winter is a season when it is easy to catch a cold.
If you have a cold, many people may be worried about the new corona.
What should I do if I have mild cold-like symptoms?
New Coronavirus Common Symptoms
Symptoms of being infected with the new coronavirus vary from person to person.
WHO = World Health Organization lists the following as common symptoms of the new coronavirus.
▽ Fever
▽ Cough
▽ Fatigue
▽ Loss of taste and smell
In addition, some people have the following symptoms.
▽ Throat pain
▽ Headache
▽ Diarrhea
▽ Skin rash and discoloration of fingers and toes
▽ Red eye and inflammation ▽
CDC = Disease Control Center in the United States
▽ Shortness of breath and breathing difficulty
▽ Muscle pain and body pain
▽ Stuffy nose
▽ Nasal and vomiting
▽ Cold air is also mentioned.
Omicron strain “Inflammation area often stays in the nose and throat”
Do these symptoms remain the same for the Omicron strain?
A WHO analyst said at a meeting on January 4 that the symptoms of the Omicron strain were "unlike other mutant viruses that reach the lungs and cause severe pneumonia, and are more likely to cause inflammation of the upper respiratory tract. "It's increasing," he said, saying that the location of inflammation often remains in the nose and throat.
If the nature of the virus is different, the symptoms may be different.
What are the symptoms of Omicron strain infected people?
At an expert meeting of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare held on the 6th of this month, the symptoms of 50 infected persons with the Omicron strain diagnosed by January 1st in Okinawa Prefecture were reported.
According to this,
72% of all people had a fever of 37 degrees for 5 minutes or more
▽ Cough 58%
▽ General malaise 50%
▽ Throat pain 44%
▽ Runny nose and stuffy nose 36%
▽ Headache 32%
▽ Joint pain is 24%
▽ Vomiting / nausea is 8%
▽ Dyspnea is 6%
▽ Smell / taste disorder is 2%.
According to this report,
4% of the people were asymptomatic and the rest had some symptoms.
"Many symptoms are similar to a cold"
Director Takaji Wakita (Chairman of the Expert Meeting), National Institute of Infectious Diseases
"It is said that the new coronavirus has considerable gastrointestinal symptoms and olfactory / taste disorders, but according to reports from Okinawa, these symptoms occur in the Omicron strain. Is relatively few and has many symptoms close to cold. "
"Asymptomatic" can be inspected for free
The government has informed local governments that they can be tested free of charge, even if they are asymptomatic, in areas where infection control is particularly needed.
Apart from this, free tests are also conducted for people who cannot receive the vaccine in local governments nationwide.
However, all of these tests are aimed at asymptomatic people.
"Mild symptoms" Visit a medical institution and have a test
So what if you have mild symptoms?
At the expert meeting of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, we are calling for active medical examinations and examinations even in the case of mild fever, malaise, or poor physical condition.
According to Yoshito Otsuka, director of the clinical laboratory at Kameda General Hospital, who is a member of the "Guidelines for Testing for Coronavirus Infectious Diseases" prepared by the national government and academic societies,
▽ sore throat
▽ runny nose
▽ fever
▽ headache
▽ malaise, etc.
If you become aware of a cold-like symptom, it is a prerequisite to go to a medical institution for an examination.
Utilization of antigen test kit is also effective
However, if you suddenly have symptoms at night or if you are wondering whether to see a medical institution, it is effective to use the antigen test kit sold at the pharmacy.
Antigen test kits are not recommended as they are less accurate if asymptomatic.
However, if you have symptoms, you can also use an antigen test kit within 9 days of the onset.
At this time, it is necessary to use an antigen test kit labeled as "in-vitro diagnostic drug", so we would like you to consider purchasing it in advance in case of emergency.
In addition, there is a possibility that "false negatives" will appear with the antigen test kit, and even if it becomes negative, if there are symptoms, it is necessary to consult a medical institution.
Otsuka, the director of the clinical laboratory, said, "The government-approved antigen test kit can be purchased for 1000 yen per dose and is effective for self-management. However, even if the antigen test kit is infected, the virus has not increased yet and it is negative. If you are worried that your symptoms will continue, please see a medical institution. "