Covid-19 and the Omicron Variant

With the release of the Omicron variant recently, new question marks come to mind. How long will the mutations continue? Will there be a permanent mutation? What are the differences of these mutations? Are vaccines effective against mutations?
Although the answers to all these questions can be given partially, it takes time to give a clear answer. Although virologists and epidemiologists are constantly monitoring these variants and conducting intensive research, time is needed to fully identify the characteristics of the mutation and to understand the disease course. In other words, enough people need to be infected so that determinations can be made on a large sample of people.
We currently have certain information regarding the omicron variant. According to the first determinations made by Hong Kong University medical faculty researchers The Omicron variant tends to proliferate 70 times faster in the bronchi than the Delta variant.. Although this figure may seem intimidating Omicron's proliferation rate in primary lung tissue is 10 times slower than Delta's. So what does this mean? This has two meanings:
1- We are faced with a virus mutation that multiplies very rapidly in the airway. This may explain why Omicron is transmitted much faster from person to person.
2- On the other hand, the slow course of the lung shows that the disease is milder. The rates of admission to emergency and intensive care units in the world related to the Omicron variant also confirm that the disease is milder.
If the course of the disease is milder, the probability of the disease being asymptomatic, that is, without symptoms, increases in the young population and people with a healthy immune system. Or, when it is spent with a very mild symptom, people may think it is a simple cold. From this perspective, we see that omicron can be transmitted very easily from person to person without realizing it. It will be beneficial for people to be more cautious and avoid crowded meetings, especially on these days when there will be New Year celebrations.. If large gatherings are to be held, PCR testingIt is a good idea to prevent the unknowingly spread of the disease.
The fact that the course of the disease is milder in people infected with Omicron has both good and bad aspects. On the bright side, the milder and milder mutations will gradually lead this disease to go into a classification like the flu. The downside is that if it is lighter, it will cause people to behave more comfortably and thus, more people will be infected quickly. Although the course is milder, the increase in the rate of disease in the elderly and immunocompromised and in the unvaccinated may lead to an increase in deaths. In short, we may face more deaths if we become complacent and give up on caution because of its lighter course..
As far as we know, the vaccination schedule revised by our ministry of health is capable of both reducing infection rates and preventing disease-related deaths. Studies have shown that vaccines are effective against Omicron..
The increase in vaccination and the fact that Omicron creates a relatively mild disease process may be an indication that more comfortable days are waiting for us in the coming period. For now, we should be vaccinated and avoid crowded environments. Maybe we will be able to come to a much more comfortable point by the next summer months.
I wish you healthy days,
Dr. Ahmet Ozyigit, MD, PgDip Endocrinology
Primary Care Physician
Elite Research and Surgical Hospital
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