Severe throat pain

1. A Scratchy Throat Can Be an Early Sign of Omicron Some healthcare providers noticed that sore throat was a common symptom early in the omicron COVID-19 wave, says In a review of data from the U.K.-based Keep in mind that according to the data in both the survey and the report, many people infected with omicron don’t have a sore throat — or any symptoms at all. “It’s a predominant early symptom,” says Dr. Weisenberg, “but not every patient with omicron follows the same symptom pattern.” 2. Omicron Appears to ‘Live’ More in the Upper Airway and Less in the Lungs Than Earlier Variants Unlike delta, omicron is more likely to populate the upper respiratory system. “This is a shift from earlier variants that replicated in the lower respiratory tract, in the lungs,” Dr. Galiatsatos says. This may be due to omicron’s many mutations, he suggests. This variant has approximately 50 mutations, around 30 of which have been identified on the spike protein — the part that attaches to human cells. Omicron’s prevalence in the upper airways may explain why it is more likely than earlier variants to cause a scratchy or sore throat as well as a The new location is part of what makes omicron so contagious, he adds. “If the virus is hanging out in the upper respiratory system, it’s probably easier for infected people to breathe it out, and easier to spread from person to person,” Galiatsatos says. 3. Both Vaccinated and Unvaccinated People Can Have an Omicron Sore Throat If you get COVID-19 ...

A Word From Verywell Sore throats are a pretty common ailment and are rarely a cause for concern. In addition to the common cold and many types of viruses and bacteria, things like air pollution, allergies, and acid reflux can lead to a sore throat. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have frequent sore throats or a sore throat that doesn't go away for a few weeks. It's not unusual to have a sore throat for a few weeks. Viral and bacterial illnesses can take a week or more to clear up, and things like allergies might take time to get under control before your sore throat improves. If your sore throat lasts for several weeks without improvement, talk to your healthcare provider about other possible causes or treatments. • MedlinePlus. • FamilyDoctor.org. • MedlinePlus. • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. • StatPearls. • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. • MedlinePlus. • MedlinePlus. • Mount Sinai. • National Institutes of Health. • American Sexual Health Association. • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. • Yale Medicine. • Majd S. Scientific American. 2017. • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. • Tanz RR. Nelson Pediatric Symptom-Based Diagnosis. 2018;1-14.e2. doi:10.1016/B978-0-323-39956-2.00001-7