Summary of 2 months. “Omicron” has gone viral. Risk of death. Hope for group immunity. from infection

Prof. Dr. Prasit Wattanapha, Dean of Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital Statement on the COVID situation “Omicron species” that it has been more than two months since the World Health Organization announced the discovery of a new strain of covid “Omicron” on November 24, 2021. Overall, each region of the world is still in the range. leg up especially Europe and the United States.

The conclusion about the Omicron species is

• Omicron spreads faster than Delta species. It is not related to the viral load in the infected person.
• the need for hospitalization About 1/3 to 1/2 less than those infected with Delta strains and less severe. If treated at home after 2 weeks, the infection will disappear. and the body will have immunity
• The ability to dodge from the body’s immune system. (both the landscape caused by recovering from the infection or caused by vaccination) than the Delta species. It is one of the key mechanisms of Omikron’s rapid spread. which we can see that even if receiving the full dose of vaccine Or have you ever been sick with COVID? can still be infected with covid omikron
• Common symptoms of infection with omikron strains These are runny nose, headache, body aches, frequent sneezing, and sore throat. High fever, no smell or taste, are less common than the Delta species. If these symptoms are suspected before
• Animal studies have shown that omikron is most likely to cause upper respiratory tract infections. not into the lungs like a delta This is considered one of the factors that cause the symptoms to be mild. but upper respiratory tract infections This causes more coughing and sneezing, which is one point that causes the spread of infection.

  
  

• A study from Imperial College in London found that having immunity reduces infection. or an infection with more symptoms A third dose of vaccination (two basic doses and one booster) is required and approximately 3 months apart from the second dose. but no evidence or suggestions that every 3-6 months should be injected But it is believed that after this there will be a 2nd generation vaccine coming out of various companies. Which must be looked at once again how it differs from the first generation of vaccines.
• A study of AstraZeneca and Pfizer vaccinations at Imperial College found that 0-20% of the prevention of infection with Omicron’s symptoms was effective, but this was increased to 55-80% after vaccination. 3rd needle stimulation
• to overcome “Omicron” most of the population in the world should be fully vaccinated. It is not only injected in countries with economic conditions. good society only Helping each other will make this virus disappear.
• Hoping for mass immunity by infection is something that should not be done because it may lead to severe symptoms or even death or if the symptoms are not severe but if infecting an unhealthy person may cause a loss
• Long Covid Symptoms may be found for a week or a month with more than 50 symptoms found The duration of symptoms that is considered to be a covid test In the UK it’s at least 3 months, but in the US, just 4 weeks is considered a test for COVID. Completely vaccinated reduces the chances of trying to get covid by 49%, there is no clear difference for each species.

Prof. Dr. Prasit also revealed that he personally believed that late January or early February Omikron should beat Delta and came to be the main species, replacing most of the delta in the country

Since 2000, we have had five pandemic cycles: 2002 SARS started from China spread to 26 countries, 2009 Swine Flu started from Mexico. then spread to 213 countries, 2012 MERS (MERS) started from Saudi Arabia before spreading to 27 countries, 2015 Zika virus (Zika) started from Brazil spread to 87 countries Most of the patients are asymptomatic, not fatal and In 2019, Covid-19 started from China and spread to 222 countries.

So the world still has a chance to encounter this kind of epidemic. for human health, animal health and the environment It is inseparable. one bad It affects a cycle As long as our world has changed global warming There is a chance to encounter new infections, so our lifestyles have not returned to normal as before the epidemic. But the new normal is to live a life that is ready if a new epidemic occurs.

From the information that has occurred over the past 2 years, it was found that the very fast epidemic of Omicron. It replaced other species such as the Delta, but the omikron itself was less severe than the previous species. thus indicating that There is a high chance that we will enter the last phase. of the spread of COVID-19 because the population has enough immunity Both immunity caused by vaccination and the condition caused by a mild infection, not fatal

the way of life and the work of many people Likely to not return to normal in the pre-epidemic form. But we can return to normal in a new way, that is, we will live a ready life if a new epidemic occurs. because of the potential for new diseases still available at any time which will have less impact have a better quality of life like before covid we work at work Now many companies both in Thailand and abroad to work at home by technology which the performance does not reduce, but reduces the risk of reducing pollution from using the car on the road Reduce office expenses But the work can still continue. A new way of life that has proven that many things are not inferior in quality. will be the principle of changing lifestyle especially to promote our own health like washing hands more often more health care Do not go back to the way it was. Because we have been adjusting for more than 2 years, we should treat these things. when a new epidemic I can protect myself from having better hygiene. Do it until normal, new style. Whatever happens, you can live with it. or bring more technology to life Treatment sometimes does not require a visit to the hospital.

Author : Jayda Vibhavadi
Graphics: Jutaphun Sooksamphun