With the Omicron variant spreading like wildfire, more people than ever are getting COVID-19 тАФ even those who are vaccinated.
And while there are still cases of severe illness in some people who are infected with the virus, the majority of┬аCanadians who have at┬аleast two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine┬аwill experience┬аtypical flu-like symptoms that can be treated┬аwith rest and lots of fluids, according to doctors who spoke to CBC News.┬а
Below, we outline what those experts┬аand a couple of people with first-hand experience said you can expect to feel if you come down with COVID-19 despite being vaccinated, along with┬аtips on┬аhow to treat your symptoms at home.┬а┬а
If you get COVID-19 after being┬аdouble-vaccinated with a third shot as a booster, “the chances are you’re going to have a mild or moderate course of illness,”┬аsaid Dr. Katharine Smart,┬аpresident of the Canadian Medical Association and a pediatrician in Whitehorse.┬а
“Very, very few people are requiring hospitalization if they’re fully vaccinated тАФ which is encouraging.”
While COVID-19┬аis spreading so fast that testing facilities across the country can’t keep up, most vaccinated people who get it should┬аbe able to treat symptoms while recovering at home, Smart said.
Common symptoms of the Omicron variant include runny nose, sore throat, cough and sometimes diarrhea and vomiting and general feelings of fatigue and muscle aches, she said.┬аThey tend to last┬аbetween two and 10 days┬атАФ on the shorter side if you have vaccine protection.
Nausea, fever, chills┬а
“I assumed I would never get it,” said┬аDonnie Macphee┬аof Johnston’s River, P.E.I., who recently tested positive for COVID-19.
Macphee┬аis double-vaccinated, has been wearing N95 masks for weeks, and works in the service industry. A few days before testing positive, he woke up feeling┬аnauseated, but dismissed it as a hangover from New Year’s Eve. Then came fever and chills. Then the positive test.
His wife, Rosie Shaw, originally tested negative, but┬аshe is immunocompromised and left their home to isolate at a rental. Still, days later, she too tested positive.
“I am absolutely exhausted тАФ sleeping all the time,” Shaw┬аsaid.┬а“My nose is raw from being so runny and me blowing it constantly. My throat is very sore, and I have a fever [and] chills for the fourth day in a row.
“I have chronic pain normally, but with COVID, there are noticeable body aches that are different than my regular pain.”
In contrast, Macphee’s symptoms┬аwere reduced to a runny nose within a few days.
“Aside from that, I feel fine,” he said.┬а
Over-the-counter pain medications
“Having Tylenol or Advil on hand┬аif you’ve got a sore throat, body aches, fever┬атАФ┬аthat’s important and can really help with your symptoms,” Smart┬аsaid.
It’s really about just taking it easy, getting lots of rest, staying well hydrated, and knowing what the danger signs are.тАФ Dr. Katharine Smart
She recommended keeping water and┬а“soothing” foods such as┬аsoup┬аnearby, and finding a restful space at home in which to recover.┬а┬а
Isolation from other family members is important if they are not infected, she said, echoing public health guidelines.
“It’s really about just taking it easy, getting lots of rest, staying well-hydrated, and knowing what the danger signs are to look out for, that should get you to seek more care,” she said.┬а
“If you’re short of breath, having difficulty catching your breathing, getting fatigued with exertion, when you’re lying flat you’re having trouble breathing, those types of symptoms тАФ those would be reasons to seek emergency care right away.”┬а
Worsening of underlying conditions is also a signal to seek help.┬а
Dr. Janine McCready, an infectious diseases doctor at Michael Garron Hospital in Toronto and spokesperson for Science Up First, a collective of medical professionals that combats┬аmisinformation, agreed with Smart.┬а
“For most people, you don’t need much тАФ┬аTylenol or Advil, a thermometer and food for the time you are isolating,” she said. “If you are at higher risk for severe symptoms, then an oximeter to check oxygen saturation might be required. And hopefully a vaccine in advance to reduce risk of severe disease.”
No specific COVID-19 treatment has been approved yet in Canada for home use, McCready┬аnoted, although there are some “around the corner” not┬аwidely available for patients with severe symptoms or underlying conditions. Those treatments include┬аmonoclonal antibodies,┬аthe steroid┬аdexamethasone┬аand an antidepressant.
“That’s something to certainly stay tuned for,” Smart said.┬а┬а
For kids: ‘Clear┬аfluids that they’ll drink’
There’s no evidence over-the-counter cold and flu medications help relieve symptoms or change┬аthe course of the virus,┬аand they aren’t recommended for children anyway, Smart said.
“The most important thing [for kids] is clear┬аfluids that they’ll drink,” Smart said.
If you’re ill at all, and anything that’s respiratory, make sure┬аyou’re staying home and accessing testing if you’re able to.тАФ Dr. Katharine Smart
For children too young to blow their nose on their own, a saline spray or rinse can help, she said.┬а
Since many people have┬аmild symptoms with Omicron, Smart said it’s important to realize your runny nose or cough could be COVID-19, and to stay at home.┬а
“The real important message for the community is: If you’re ill at all, and [have] anything that’s respiratory, make sure┬аyou’re staying home and accessing testing if you’re able to,” Smart said.
If testing isn’t┬аavailable, stay home for at least five days until symptoms have resolved, she said, adding┬аpeople should let others┬аknow they’re┬аisolating and arrange for essential items to be dropped off.┬а
P.E.I. has launched a hotline for Islanders who need help while isolating due to COVID-19.┬аThose in need of food, medicine┬аor other help┬аcan call 211 to┬аbe directed to nearby community or government support.┬а
Back in┬аJohnston’s River,┬аMacphee recommended watching shows to rest and pass the time, but said don’t forget to move┬аaround the house and stretch.
It’s been tough┬аfor the couple to be apart while sick, “but if separating is what we need to do to keep each other safe and get Donnie back to work as soon as possible, that’s what we’re going to do,” Shaw┬аsaid.
“Friends have already dropped off care packages, so I’m feeling well taken care of.”
Quick tips:┬а
Smart and McCready┬аsuggested the following for those experiencing mild symptoms:
- Take over-the-counter pain relief, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, if needed.┬а
- Stay hydrated, by┬аdrinking lots of water.
- Have soothing foods like soup on hand.
- Get plenty of rest.
- Isolate┬аfrom those in your household who are not ill.
- If you have difficulty breathing, seek help immediately.┬а
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