Three Things I Learned From Catching Omicron

As The Virus Changes, So Will the Symptoms

Before I start, let me state the obvious. I am not a doctor, nor am I an infectious disease expert, and I’m merely presenting things from my perspective leaning on my personal experience.

As previously stated, I’ve been trying to keep myself well educated on the changes that this mutation would bring. Turns out, most of what we know is evolving right along with the virus. For example, what led to me wanting to take a test wasn’t a headache or congestion or even a fever. I woke up with an insanely sore throat… and that’s it. I know, I know… it’s not cool or sexy at all but that’s what happened. I felt like I needed to take a test after waking up feeling like I’d swallowed a handful of staples.

I hardly ever get sick but when I do, it’s usually cough and congestion NEVER a sore throat. Realizing what I was in the middle of, I jumped online ordered rapid tests, arranged for a safe curbside pickup option, and came home to take them. Unsurprisingly I tested positive, but my wife who was around me every day unmasked actually tested negative, despite having the same exact symptoms. That’s when it dawned on me. It’s possible Omicron doesn’t start with fever, cough, congestion, and headache. Instead, it starts with a sore throat.

It’s not uncommon for a virus along with its mutations to show up differently in different people. So while Omicron is easily the most contagious version of COVID so far, it is also the mildest, meaning it is less severe than Delta especially for those who have been vaccinated. Speaking of Omicron’s mildness…