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Guilherme Mazui

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What is the Difference Between Delta and Omicron?

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The Delta and Omicron variants of COVID-19 have some differences in terms of symptoms, severity, and transmissibility. Here are the key differences between the two:

  1. Symptoms: Omicron symptoms are more present in the upper respiratory tract, making it harder to differentiate from other respiratory illnesses like the common cold. Delta symptoms may also affect the lower airway tract, including the lungs. Some major differences in COVID-19 symptoms between the two variants include:
  • Nearly three-quarters (70.5%) of Omicron variant patients had a sore throat, compared to 60.8% of Delta variant patients.
  • Slightly more than half (52.7%) of Delta variant patients had a loss of smell, while this symptom is less common in Omicron patients.
  1. Severity: Data suggests that the original Omicron strain was less severe than the Delta variant. Omicron patients have a shorter period of illness and potentially infectiousness.
  2. Transmissibility: The original strain of Omicron was more transmissible than Delta. Omicron's subvariants are considered to be especially efficient spreaders of the disease.

Despite these differences, both Delta and Omicron variants can cause mild to severe symptoms, and the effectiveness of vaccinations is crucial in preventing severe illness and hospitalization.

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  • What is the Difference Between Delta and Omicron?
  • Comparative Table: Delta vs Omicron

    • Comparative Table: Delta vs Omicron

    Here is a table comparing the differences between the Delta and Omicron variants:

    Feature Delta Variant Omicron Variant
    Symptoms More severe symptoms, including fever, chills, loss of taste and smell, and shortness of breath Mild to moderate symptoms, with sore throat being more common
    Transmissibility Estimated to be about twice as transmissible as the original strain Even more transmissible than Delta
    Severity May cause more severe illness, hospitalization, and even death, especially in unvaccinated people or people in risk groups Causes mild to moderate symptoms, but can still lead to severe illness in some cases
    Infection Location Replicates 10 times slower in lung tissue compared to Omicron Replicates 70 times faster in the main airways (bronchi) compared to Delta, but 10 times slower in lung tissue
    Vaccination Status Vaccinated individuals may experience sore throats and runny noses more frequently, but fewer instances of fever, cough, and loss of taste or smell

    Please note that the information in this table is based on the search results provided.

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    Guilherme Mazui

    Guilherme Mazui is graduated in journalism from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) and a master's degree in Communication from the University of São Paulo (USP). In addition, he has experience in advertising writing and has worked as a content editor in several companies.