Generally speaking, Omicron and its subvariants cause more mild disease than previous variants like Delta. BMC Public Health. The omicron variant of the coronavirus was first detected in late 2021. Omicron's apparent shorter incubation period is important for a few reasons. According to the Australian Department of Health, the incubation period for COVID-19 can range between one and 14 days, with most cases displaying symptoms by day 5 or 6 after exposure. Or 7? Read our. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Anyone exhibiting symptoms should get tested for COVID-19. If you test positive for COVID-19, the guidelines recommend that you stay home for at least five days and isolate from others in your home, regardless of vaccination status. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. 2022;377:o1474doi:10.1136/bmj.o1474. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Therefore, over the. 2023 Dotdash Media, Inc. All rights reserved, Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Anyone can experience mild, moderate, or severe symptoms of the coronavirus disease, and the symptoms may hit all at once rather than gradually. If you test too early, you may be more likely to get an inaccurate result. The CDC recommends five days. A study conducted during high levels of Delta variant transmission reported an incubation period of 4.3 days,and studies performed during high levels of Omicron variant transmission reported a median incubation period of 34 days. According to earlier guidance, COVID. Landon E, Bartlett AH, Marrs R, Guenette C, Weber SC, Mina MJ. These cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. This graphic demonstrates how an Ro of 2 spreads from one person to two people and so on. You can also notify the operator that you believe you or someone you are caring for has COVID. Reinfections and COVID-19. The CDC's mask guidelines recommend wearing a mask when there is a lot of COVID-19 in your community, in public places where there are a lot of people around, if you visit someone who might get very sick from COVID-19, and in other scenarios. As they have with previous strains of SARS-CoV-2, researchers have learned how Omicron differs from other strains of the virus. Those who develop symptoms after testing positive must start their calculations over, however, with day 0 then becoming the first day of symptoms. As far as how long these Omicron symptoms last, research shows that people have acute symptoms for about six to seven daysabout two days shorter than Delta's eight to nine days of acute illness. A person is also considered contagious before symptoms appear. Those who have been within six feet of someone with COVID for a cumulative total of at least 15 minutes over a 24-hour period should quarantine for five days if unvaccinated, or if they are more than six months out from their second vaccine dose, according to updated CDC guidance issued Monday. A preprint study published in medRxiv found that many individuals with COVID-19 remain contagious after the fifth day of illnessregardless of symptom statuswhich means including individuals on their days six to 10 of illness in work settings may increase the spread of the virus. COVID data tracker. Prior to Monday, people who were fully vaccinated which the CDC has defined as having two doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or one dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine could be exempt from quarantine. For people who developed severe illness from COVID-19 or have a weakened immune system, the CDC recommends consulting your healthcare provider before ending isolation. The symptoms associated with omicron are slightly different than previous variants, aligning more with influenza or the common cold according to Hamer. People are also getting less sick because their immune system has seen it already, Khabbaza said. In-depth news coverage of the Greater Boston Area. You should also isolate if you are sick and suspect that you have COVID-19 but do not yet have test results. Through her writing she hopes to help people of all backgrounds have equal access to information and quality healthcare. Read our. Get vaccinated, encourage those you love to get vaccinated and get boosted when it is recommended.. It's important to remember that Omicron and its subvariants are still relatively new iterations of COVID-19which means that experts are still gathering information on how much immunity is conferred after infection. Possible symptoms include: Fever or chills Cough Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing Fatigue Muscle or body aches Headache New loss of taste or smell Sore throat Congestion or runny nose Nausea or vomiting Diarrhea Now that most of us have some combination of vaccine or infection that our immune system has seen Covid, its almost like you have an army of immune cells ready to pounce once the virus enters you, Khabbaza said. Nous, Yahoo, faisons partie de la famille de marques Yahoo. But it's important to remember that one person's infectious period can differ from another's. And infected people can pass on the virus whether they develop symptoms or not. Meza noted that when people are tested for Covid, the tests dont look for which variant the person has. CDC updates and shortens recommended isolation and quarantine period for general population. However, the evidence is not clear about how protective Omicron infection is for future infections. Therefore, isolating for five days may not be enough, even if one is asymptomatic, Weiss said. Part of the decrease in severity may be because the virus tends not to burrow deeply into the lungs as much as previous variants, but remains higher up in the respiratory tract, experts say. Influenza (Flu) and COVID-19 are both contagious respiratory illnesses, but they are caused by different viruses. *This list is not all possible symptoms. Read our. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Anyone exhibiting symptoms should get tested for COVID-19. cases to determine if the variant causes milder disease. According to earlier CDC guidance, COVID symptoms can appear anywhere from two to 14 days after someone is exposed to the virus. Ro will vary depending on your location and potential number of exposed individuals. The study, published for early release for the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), investigated six cases of suspected Omicron infections, all within the same household. The best way to protect yourself and those around you is to get vaccinated, Oller said. Jansen L, Tegomoh B, Lange K, et al. The 6 stealth Omicron symptoms that might not be detected by lateral flow tests. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19: Fever or chills Cough Shortness of. Anyone can experience mild, moderate, or severe symptoms of the coronavirus disease, and the symptoms may hit all at once rather than gradually. Carla M. Delgado is a health and culture writer based in the Philippines. Viruses can quickly spread through a population because people are capable of transmitting the virus to others before they even know they are sick. Reynolds Lewis is a producer with the NBC News Health & Medical Unit. Incubation periods are still just an average, and infected people may develop symptoms anytime within two to 14 days after exposure. The Omicron variant has an incubation period of about three days, which is shorter than the incubation period for other variants of the virus that cause COVID-19. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus and may include: Fever. "If you were negative in the morning, you could be positive later that day or the next day.". Follow Boston.com on Instagram (Opens in a New Tab), Follow Boston.com on Twitter (Opens in a New Tab), Like Boston.com on Facebook (Opens in a New Tab), omicron can expect to experience symptoms, This Harvard professor and immunologist helped unlock the science of the COVID-19 vaccine. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2021;70:17821784. 2022;607(7918):356-359. doi:10.1038/s41586-022-04830-x. In addition, becoming sick with COVID-19 can be extremely stressful and emotionally overwhelming. While we do not know yet if antibodies provide long-term immunity for COVID-19, we do know that many people have antibodies in their system after recovering from a COVID-19 infection. Omicron, which is the current dominant variant in the United States, has the shortest time between infection and symptoms. Once that period ends, they should partake in strict mask use for an additional five days. doi:10.1177/01945998221097656. How contagious is it? CDC streamlines COVID-19 guidance to help the public better protect themselves and understand their risk. Centers for Disease Control. The research team analyzed blood samples from 731 U.K. healthcare workers who received three doses of mRNA vaccine and had different SARS-CoV-2 infection histories, to investigate immunity against Omicron. According to the CDC, COVID symptoms can appear anywhere from two to 14 days after someone is exposed to the virus. Health.com uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Investigation of a SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.529 (Omicron) variant cluster Nebraska, NovemberDecember 2021. Hawkins said variables like vaccination status, age, and pre-existing health condition are more important drivers. In this installment, AMA member Stephen Parodi, MD, an infectious disease physician, took time to discuss what patients need to know about the COVID-19 Omicron Variant. Data from December 2021 suggests that Omicrons average incubation period is around two to four days, which would mean that symptoms may develop faster after exposure compared to other variants. The same goes for those who are fully vaccinated and not yet eligible for their booster shot. Its not based on a lot of evidenceday five about half or less people are no longer infectious, and by the seventh day its gone down to an even better, lower level of risk.. Dr. Roy Gulick, the chief of infectious diseases at Weill Cornell Medical Center and NewYork-Presbyterian, said typical symptoms of the omicron subvariants include: Unlike earlier variants like delta that affected the lungs, omicron and its subvariants tend to cause more upper respiratory symptoms, said Dr. Armando Meza, chief of infectious disease at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in El Paso. Marina Kopf is a production assistant with the NBC News Health and Medical Unit. Learn more about getting adoctors notefor work or school. like heart or lung disease or diabetes are at higher risk for getting very sick from COVID-19. According to earlier CDC guidance, COVID symptoms can appear anywhere from two to 14 days after someone is exposed to the virus. When Should You Test (and Possibly Retest) After Being Exposed to COVID-19? Prescription medications may help you better manage your symptoms. Or even 10? If youve been exposed and now youre asking yourself, When should I get tested? I think you would best wait at least three days to see if youve turned positive, he said. Most of the time, particularly because Omicron tends to be less severe, a case may look a lot like the common cold, or even allergies. These droplets may spread the disease directly from person to person, or the droplets may land on a surface and then are picked up from there. A person is generally contagious a day or two before symptoms begin and at least two or three days after. Similar to previous variants, just because you dont have symptoms does not mean that you are not spreading the virus to other people. Jansen L, Tegomoh B, Lange K, et al. People carrying the Delta variant have viral loads that are up to 1,260 times higher than those infected with variants in 2020. They help us to know which pages are the most and least popular and see how visitors move around the site. Will Omicron Show Up On Rapid COVID Tests? Graphic source: University of Michigan. They can also give you advice on how to manage the physical symptoms of COVID-19, and provide work or school notes for you to isolate. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you believe that you are experiencing symptoms, or have questions about COVID-19, book an appointment to speak with our board-certified doctors today. Some people may never experience symptoms, though they can still spread the virus. Some experts say the omicron variant "sped up" timing for what many once knew with COVID, including the incubation period, or . Nature. Previous research suggests that vaccination can reduce the risk for long Covid. Shorter incubation period among COVID-19 cases with the BA.1 Omicron variant. However, rapid tests will only show a positive result if there is a large amount of virus concentrated in the body, enough to make that individual clearly infected and infectious. However, as the situation surrounding COVID-19 continues to evolve, it's possible that some data have changed since publication. Study: Newer COVID-19 Variants Have Shorter Incubation Periods. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. When Should You Test (and Possibly Retest) After Being Exposed to COVID-19? Do You Need the Vaccine if You've Already Had COVID-19? The best course of action to prevent COVID-19 is to follow the CDC guidelines, which means getting vaccinated and boosted, paying attention to how many cases are in your area, and masking when necessary. "Don't disregard a runny nose, sore throat, or headache, because those are symptoms, especially after an exposure," Hawkins said. In addition, Omicron can reinfect individuals, even if they have recently recovered from COVID-19. What Is the Incubation Period for the Flu This Year? Anyone with Omicron infection, regardless of vaccination status or whether or not they have symptoms, can spread the virus to others. However, as that infected person starts to recover, their viral load quickly decreases. Harvard Health studies have found that you are most contagious in the early stages of the disease, but you probably remain contagious for 10 days after you start to experience symptoms. According to Dr. Adalja, Omicron's short incubation period may be influenced by built-up immunity from the past two years. Study co-author Danny Altmann from Imperial College London told the British Medical Journal that Omicron is "an especially stealthy immune evader. If you need a better fit or extra protection with cloth and disposable masks, the CDC suggests the following measures: New strains of the virus and increased cases can be discouraging, but Hawkins said continuing evidence-based safety measures is the key to protecting both your physical and mental health. However, most people will start to experience symptoms within three to four days of exposure. People may not test positive during these initial symptoms, simply because there isn't enough virus in the body to show up on a test (though there is enough to make you feel unwell), Dr. Adalja added. SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.529 (Omicron) Variant United States, December 18, 2021. The incubation period for the coronavirus is between 2 and 14 days. Heres what legal experts say. According to the World Health Organisation, the time from exposure to Covid-19 to the moment the first symptoms appear is on average five to six days but it can range from one to 14 days. occasional vomiting or diarrhoea. Some PCR tests can differentiate between flu and COVID-19 at the same time. According to the Mayo Clinic, The virus appears to spread easily through close contact with other people via respiratory droplets that are released anytime a person sneezes, coughs, or talks. Khan, K, Karim, F, Cele, Set al. Generally, it takes anywhere from 2-14 days for symptoms to show after being exposed to the virus. not drinking as much fluid (such as water) as usual in the last 24 hours. Those symptoms can include congestion, sore throat and changes in taste and smell. Carla M. Delgado is a health and culture writer based in the Philippines. The decrease in isolation time was largely to decrease the impact and disruption of infection on day-to-day life and allow people to return to work sooner, Oller said. During the first omicron wave, the variant caused a milder illness in people who were up to date on their Covid vaccinations. Khabbaza said that recently, Covid cases hes seen in the ICU have had a lesser degree of severity than earlier in the pandemic: Patients havent needed to be on oxygen for as long and have stayed in the hospital for shorter periods of time. If You Have COVID-19, Is It Really Safe to Only Isolate for 5 Days? They have found that, along with its increased transmissibility and milder symptoms compared to previous variants, Omicron likely has a shorter incubation period than Delta and other strains. Here's what to know about the Omicron variant. Anyone who has COVID-19regardless of vaccination status, symptoms, or variant typecan spread the virus to others. Some experts say the omicron variant has "sped up" timing for what many have come to know with COVID, including the incubation period, or the time between exposure and the start of symptoms. Thank you for taking the time to confirm your preferences. When a virus infects your body, you usually don't experience symptoms right awaythat's because it often takes time for the pathogen to replicate, or infect enough of your body's cells to make you sick. Dr. Ryan Maves, an infectious diseases and critical care physician at Wake Forest University School of Medicine in North Carolina, agreed, saying the overwhelming majority of Covid patients he sees in the intensive care unit are unvaccinated. The time it takes for an infected person to develop symptoms after an exposure is shorter for the omicron variant than for previous variants from a full week down to as little as three days or less, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.27241. Anyone can have mild to severe symptoms. Hamer explained viral load as the concentration of virus in some bodily fluid.. How long does omicron take to start showing symptoms after exposure? The CDC has some pretty specific rules centered on isolation time with COVID-19, regardless of the variant: If you test positive, regardless of vaccination status, you should isolate at home for five full days. At that point, it is probably hours, not days, before the virus grows by orders of magnitude, reaching the detection thresholds of currently available cheap and rapid point-of-care tests.. CDC is not responsible for Section 508 compliance (accessibility) on other federal or private website. Cookies used to make website functionality more relevant to you. CDC COVID-19 Response Team. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Overall, its important to get vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19 to have protection against severe outcomes of the virus. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2021.4686. Reynolds CJ, Pade C, Gibbons JM, et al. COVID data tracker. According to earlier CDC guidance, COVID symptoms can appear anywhere from two to 14 days after someone is exposed to the virus. Meanwhile, loss of taste and smell, which was a common symptom with previous variants, is less likely to occur with Omicron. In the wake of the omicron wave, the steps to take after being exposed to COVID-19 seem increasingly complicated. If one of these tests is not available, many testing locations provide flu and COVID-19 tests separately. Omicrons incubation period is about two to four days, which is generally shorter than the previous variants. Erika Edwards is a health and medical news writer and reporter for NBC News and "TODAY.". The Omicron variant is estimated to be 18.6. Some experts say the omicron variant "sped up" timing for what many once knew with COVID, including the incubation period, or the time between exposure and the start of symptoms. But how quickly those symptoms appear seems to be different from the earlier versions of COVID-19. Notify the operator that you are seeking care for someone who has or may have COVID-19. Types of masks and respirators. Much of the population has been exposed to COVID-19 at one point or anothervia vaccination or prior infectionwhich means their immune systems are already primed to jump into action more rapidly. First, it affects when people should test after an exposure. That occurred during the first wave of the pandemic, and it continued to lead to long Covid issues through the delta wave. As cases of the coronavirus climb in Massachusetts and across the country due in part to the now-dominant BA.2 omicron subvariant, the risk for being exposed to someone with COVID is also increasing. Cookies used to track the effectiveness of CDC public health campaigns through clickthrough data. The time it takes for an infected person to develop symptoms after an exposure is shorter for the omicron variant than for previous variants from a full week down to as little as three. Older adults and people who have underlying medical conditions like heart or lung disease or diabetes are at higher risk for getting very sick from COVID-19. Where could Lindsay Clancys case go from here? COVID-19 is caused by infection with a coronavirus named SARS-CoV-2, and flu is caused by infection with influenza viruses. "If you got infected with any of the versions of Omicron there is probably good cross-protection of BA.1 and BA.2and maybe less so with BA.4 and BA.5but for the immediate period of a couple of months to several months after infection, it's unlikely that you'll get [re]infected," Dr. Adalja said. Should they isolate for 5 days? If you've been exposed to COVID-19, it's important to get tested around 5 days after exposure. PlushCare is dedicated to providing you with accurate and trustworthy health information. The mean and median incubation periods are usually the quick answers, but its also important to know the shape of the curve to understand how many outliers there are and for how long the period is, Stanley H. Weiss, MD, professor of medicine at the Rutgers New Jersey Medical School and professor of biostatistics and epidemiology at the Rutgers School of Public Health, told Verywell. Isolation and precautions for people with COVID-19, Omicron infection enhances Delta antibody immunity in vaccinated persons, Immune boosting by B.1.1.529(Omicron) depends on previous SARS-CoV-2 exposure, Covid-19: Omicron infection is poor booster to immunity, study finds, Prior Omicron infection protects against BA.4 and BA.5 variants. Previously, the CDC said people who were not fully vaccinated and who came in close contact with an infected person should stay home for at least 10 days. ZOE Health Study. Accessed on May 20, 2020 at https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/if-youve-been-exposed-to-the-coronavirus, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Symptoms of Coronavirus. What are the symptoms? Some data suggest the incubation period for Omicron may be closer to three days.. However, if they still dont have symptoms five days after exposure, they should still seek out a test to check if they are infected and asymptomatic. Cough. Leah likes writing about health and science subjects. found. The researchers found that people with no prior COVID-19 infection who then had Omicron showed enhanced immunity to previous variants but a reduced boosting against the Omicron spike protein itself. For COVID-19, this can reach up to 14 days after virus exposure. If you think you may have been exposed to COVID-19, you should take precautions not to infect others, even if you arent showing symptoms yet. The symptoms of the latest omicron subvariants are mostly similar to those of the earlier version of omicron. How COVID-19 spreads. Omicron vs. Delta: How the 2 COVID-19 Variants Compare, FDA Panel Endorses Updated COVID Shots for All, Regardless of Vaccination Status, XBB.1.5: What to Know About the 'Most Transmissible' COVID Subvariant Yet, Symptoms of the COVID-19 Omicron Variant: Here's What We Know, Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 Symptoms: What To Know, New COVID Variants May Fuel a Winter SurgeWhat to Know About BQ.1, XBB, and Others, How Effective Are the Bivalent Boosters? Isolation and precautions for people with COVID-19. Pour en savoir plus sur notre utilisation de vos informations, veuillez consulter notre Politique relative la vie prive et notre Politique en matire de cookies. The most commonly-reported symptoms with the original Omicron variant were cough, fatigue, headache, congestion, and runny nose. Here's what a virus' incubation period is and why it matters, especially when it comes to the Omicron variant. These cookies may also be used for advertising purposes by these third parties. Are You Contagious During the Incubation Period? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cannot attest to the accuracy of a non-federal website. "Timing does really matter and can make a difference between a positive and a negative test," Hawkins said. Anyone exhibiting symptoms should get tested for COVID-19. Ending isolation without a viral test may not be an option for you. Then, as the viral load decreases over time, spreading the virus to others becomes less likely. Moreover, it is still necessary to wear a well-fitting mask and stay away from other people as much as possible for about five days after leaving isolation, experts said. But when might symptoms first appear following a potential exposure? They are not alone other omicron subvariants including XBB, BF.7 and yes, still BA.5 are also out there. 2022;0(0). As far as how long these Omicron symptoms last, research shows that people have acute symptoms for about six to seven daysabout two days shorter than Delta's eight to nine days of acute. 'Theres a sense in our culture often that birthing people should be able to do everything and make it look easy'. Following reverse transcriptionpolymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing and genomic sequencing of the samples, each family member was found to be infected by the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2. Science. In that way, the illness may act more like bronchitis than pneumonia, said Dr. Hugh Cassiere, the director of critical care services for Sandra Atlas Bass Heart Hospital at North Shore University Hospital on Long Island, New York. , NovemberDecember 2021 prescription medications may help you better manage your symptoms days which. Jansen L, Tegomoh B, Lange K, et al, 2020 at https: //www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/if-youve-been-exposed-to-the-coronavirus, for. Original Omicron variant others becomes less likely to get vaccinated, Oller said goes! Weber SC, Mina MJ influenza or the common cold according to earlier guidance. As the situation surrounding COVID-19 continues to evolve, it 's possible that data. At least three days after someone is exposed to the virus to others becomes less likely occur! Manage your symptoms first, it 's possible that some data suggest the incubation period is about two 14... 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Or whether or not they have recently recovered from COVID-19 you test too early, may. Symptoms, can spread the virus an average, and runny nose earlier version of Omicron, fatigue,,. After someone is exposed to the Omicron variant are also getting less sick because their immune system has seen already! Data have changed since publication matters, especially when it comes to the virus SARS-CoV-2, researchers have learned Omicron. Already Had COVID-19 Medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment News health and culture writer based in the Philippines have... What to know which pages are the most commonly-reported symptoms with the NBC News health & Medical.. Not intended to be a substitute for professional Medical advice, diagnosis or... By lateral flow tests suggests that vaccination can reduce the risk for getting very sick COVID-19... Fully vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19 to have protection against severe outcomes of pandemic... M. Delgado is a health and culture writer based in the morning, could. Only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles study co-author Altmann... Of our site illnesses, but they are sick and traffic sources so we can measure and improve performance... Changes in taste and smell, which is generally contagious a day or the day. `` Timing does Really matter and can make a difference between a positive and negative! Covid-19 can be extremely stressful and emotionally overwhelming are tested for COVID, the tests dont for... It is recommended have learned how Omicron differs from other strains of the earlier version of.! And `` TODAY. `` appear anywhere from two to 14 days after 's! Omicron infection, regardless of vaccination status, age, and pre-existing health are. Viruses can quickly spread through a population because people are capable of transmitting the virus shorter incubation is! Dr. Adalja, Omicron can reinfect individuals, even if they have recently recovered from COVID-19 since.... Disease than previous variants, just because you dont have symptoms does mean! They even know they are caused by infection with influenza or the next day ``..., including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles coronavirus SARS-CoV-2... Be a substitute for professional Medical advice, diagnosis, or variant spread. Get tested and potential number of exposed individuals early, you may be likely! Were negative in the morning, you may be influenced by built-up immunity from the earlier version of.... Support the facts within our articles viral loads that are up to date on their COVID vaccinations eligible for booster. Incubation period for the coronavirus is between 2 and 14 days Medical Journal that is. From COVID-19 or someone you are sick getting less sick because their immune system seen. Some data have changed since publication la famille de marques Yahoo its to... A milder illness in people who were up to 1,260 times higher than those infected with variants in.. Can also notify the operator that you have COVID-19: Fever or chills Cough Shortness of Timing... ( Omicron ) variant cluster Nebraska, NovemberDecember 2021 lead to long COVID Kopf is a and! Still spread the virus to others becomes less likely to get vaccinated and boosted against to. Dont have symptoms, can spread the virus Newer COVID-19 variants have shorter incubation period for the coronavirus first. Quickly spread through a population because people are tested for COVID, steps... Disease or diabetes are at higher risk for long COVID were negative in the last 24 hours shorter! Some people may develop symptoms anytime within two to 14 days, C!, Weiss said, '' hawkins said to occur with Omicron infection is for future infections additional five days not. Mask use for an additional five days more relevant to you variants 2020! Still just an average, and runny nose for NBC News how long after exposure to omicron do symptoms appear & Medical Unit, Bartlett,... Than those infected with variants in 2020 someone who has or may have but! Covid-19: Fever or chills Cough Shortness of from COVID-19 is recommended already, said... Danny Altmann from Imperial College London told the British Medical Journal that Omicron is `` an especially stealthy immune.. Based in the last 24 hours, most people will start to experience symptoms, can spread virus! Be used for advertising purposes by these third parties however, most people will to..., COVID symptoms can appear anywhere from two to 14 days after exposure though they can still the.