It’s been almost two years since the pandemic began. Thanks to vaccines, much of the threat of the virus can be mitigated. While we’re sure everyone is tired of hearing about COVID, it’s still very much a public health issue. Below, we have a few health reminders to keep in mind regarding the Omicron Variant.
What is the Omicron variant like?
The Omicron variant is currently the dominant variant in the U.S. It typically causes less severe illness than other variants but is highly transmissible. However, cases of long-haul COVID have also been reported with Omicron with symptoms such as shortness of breath, persistent coughing, joint and muscle pain, brain fog, and continued fatigue.
New Treatments
There are two new oral treatments for individuals who are considered high-risk and are currently suffering from mild to moderate COVID symptoms. As of right now, there is limited information on the safety and effectiveness of these two drugs. One drug is called Paxlovid and it will primarily be distributed in nursing homes. There is also a new pill from Merck called molnupiravir. Molnupiravir is not quite as effective compared to Paxlovid. It will be sold exclusively at Walgreens.
What is the difference between quarantine and isolation?
Quarantine is when you separate yourself from others due to suspected exposure.
Isolation is when you have tested positive for covid or are experiencing symptoms of covid.
Direct Primary Care Provider in Louisville, KY
If you have any questions about covid or whether or not you need to isolate or quarantine, check out this handy infographic from Team Kentucky. Here at Our Family DPC, we value you as an individual and are dedicated to providing personalized care. We would love to help you on your healthcare journey to reach your goals. Give Dr. John Manire a call at 502-890-9979 or schedule an appointment online today.