Ah Great!
Ah Great!

Another Coronavirus Variant!
Another Coronavirus Variant!

I don't even know what this means
I don't even know what this means

How is this any different from the previous variants, and is there something i should be doing differently?
How is this any different from the previous variants, and is there something i should be doing differently?

If these thoughts have ever crossed your mind, then this is the perfect video for you!
If these thoughts have ever crossed your mind, then this is the perfect video for you!

Lets explore together What Makes Omicron Different
Lets explore together What Makes Omicron Different

To start off, "what is omicron?"
To start off, "what is omicron?"

During virus replication, viral genes undergo random “copying errors” resulting in mutations.
During virus replication, viral genes undergo random “copying errors” resulting in mutations.

Gene mutations that cause permanent change in the DNA result in the formation of new virus variants
Gene mutations that cause permanent change in the DNA result in the formation of new virus variants

Sars-Cov-2 coronavirus is responsible for the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic
Sars-Cov-2 coronavirus is responsible for the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic

This virus has taken the form of several variants over the past 2 years.
This virus has taken the form of several variants over the past 2 years.

Starting off with Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta and now Omicron also known as B.1.1.529
Starting off with Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta and now Omicron also known as B.1.1.529

The Omicron variant has officially now replaced the Delta variant as the dominant strain
The Omicron variant has officially now replaced the Delta variant as the dominant strain

The process of making Vaccines and boosters also involves analyzing genetic mutations and trends of variant emergence
The process of making Vaccines and boosters also involves analyzing genetic mutations and trends of variant emergence

Therefore it is recommended to get the vaccine in order to stay safe from the evolving virus variants
Therefore it is recommended to get the vaccine in order to stay safe from the evolving virus variants

All previous variants were named after Greek letters, as W.H.O believes these names are easier to communicate as compared to scientific designations
All previous variants were named after Greek letters, as W.H.O believes these names are easier to communicate as compared to scientific designations

The omicron variant is named after the 15th Greek letter
The omicron variant is named after the 15th Greek letter

The first case of the Omicron variant dates back to 24th November 2021
The first case of the Omicron variant dates back to 24th November 2021

The first omicron variant was detected in South Africa and Botswana,
The first omicron variant was detected in South Africa and Botswana,

but has now spread to 165 nations.
but has now spread to 165 nations.

Now let’s investigate the structural difference between Omicron and Delta,
Now let’s investigate the structural difference between Omicron and Delta,

but before that let’s play a quick spot the difference game!
but before that let’s play a quick spot the difference game!

We see the Omicron variant has more mutations than the Delta one
We see the Omicron variant has more mutations than the Delta one

The spike or “s” creates something called a spike protein
The spike or “s” creates something called a spike protein

This spike protein is found on the outside of a virus
This spike protein is found on the outside of a virus

In this case, it can be found on the outside of the SARS-COV-2 virus
In this case, it can be found on the outside of the SARS-COV-2 virus

The spike protein is essentially responsible for entering the human cell by penetrating the host cell
The spike protein is essentially responsible for entering the human cell by penetrating the host cell

So we can see that the spike protein is a very important component of the virus
So we can see that the spike protein is a very important component of the virus

and it plays a key role during the infection process within our body
and it plays a key role during the infection process within our body

Going back to comparing the structural differences
Going back to comparing the structural differences

the Omicron variant has 32 mutations in the “s” gene
the Omicron variant has 32 mutations in the “s” gene

Whereas in the delta variant, the "s" gene only shows about 9-13 mutations
Whereas in the delta variant, the "s" gene only shows about 9-13 mutations

For the next portion of this video we will discuss the
For the next portion of this video we will discuss the

the differences in symptom and severity of infection between Omicron and Delta variants
the differences in symptom and severity of infection between Omicron and Delta variants

but before that lets play another spot the difference game!
but before that lets play another spot the difference game!

In terms of specific symptoms,
In terms of specific symptoms,

mild, cold-like expressions including sore throats, sneezing,
mild, cold-like expressions including sore throats, sneezing,

and runny noses are increasingly common with the Omicron virus
and runny noses are increasingly common with the Omicron virus

However, former distinctive features of the Delta variant
However, former distinctive features of the Delta variant

such as fever, cough, and loss of taste or smell
such as fever, cough, and loss of taste or smell

have decreased significantly with Omicron infection
have decreased significantly with Omicron infection

During the timeframe where Delta
During the timeframe where Delta

and Omicron variants were both circulating
and Omicron variants were both circulating

cases with Omicron infection were associated with
cases with Omicron infection were associated with

reduced risk of severe clinical endpoints
reduced risk of severe clinical endpoints

and shorter duration of hospital stay
and shorter duration of hospital stay

Moreover, the symptoms of the Omicron variant
Moreover, the symptoms of the Omicron variant

tend to be less severe than Delta
tend to be less severe than Delta

Recent research studies on Omicron’s effect on rodents illustrates that the virus proliferates well in the
Recent research studies on Omicron’s effect on rodents illustrates that the virus proliferates well in the

upper airway and bronchi but poorly in the lungs
upper airway and bronchi but poorly in the lungs

Thus, the Omicron strain is less likely to invade the lung tissue
Thus, the Omicron strain is less likely to invade the lung tissue

leading to less pneumonia and
leading to less pneumonia and

subsequently less severe disease
subsequently less severe disease

Although less severe symptoms
Although less severe symptoms

manifest with Omicron infection
manifest with Omicron infection

the variant was found to be 2.7 to 3.7 times
the variant was found to be 2.7 to 3.7 times

as infectious as the Delta variant
as infectious as the Delta variant

among the vaccinated population
among the vaccinated population

The following chart details all the key symptoms
The following chart details all the key symptoms

similarities and differences between the two variants
similarities and differences between the two variants

Now let's discuss the differences between the Delta and Omicron variant in terms of prevention
Now let's discuss the differences between the Delta and Omicron variant in terms of prevention

but first one last spot the difference game
but first one last spot the difference game

The CDC guidelines for delta variant recommend that people become vaccinated
The CDC guidelines for delta variant recommend that people become vaccinated

they also recommend wearing masks in indoor public spaces
they also recommend wearing masks in indoor public spaces

They do not mention an age range for either of these recommendations
They do not mention an age range for either of these recommendations

PCR testing can detect the presence of this variant in the body
PCR testing can detect the presence of this variant in the body

for the omicron variant the cdc recommends getting vaccinated and boosted
for the omicron variant the cdc recommends getting vaccinated and boosted

especially if you have comprised immunity or live with someone with such a condition
especially if you have comprised immunity or live with someone with such a condition

they also recommend that people aged 2 and above wear masks in indoor public spaces as well as crowded outdoor spaces
they also recommend that people aged 2 and above wear masks in indoor public spaces as well as crowded outdoor spaces

they also mention that the omicron variant is no longer reliably detected by PCR testing
they also mention that the omicron variant is no longer reliably detected by PCR testing

and thus testing methods such as nucleic acid amplification test and antigen tests can determine the presence of this variant in the body
and thus testing methods such as nucleic acid amplification test and antigen tests can determine the presence of this variant in the body

why should we get the booster shots?
why should we get the booster shots?

A study by Davenport and colleagues estimated that COVID immunity attained by vaccination
A study by Davenport and colleagues estimated that COVID immunity attained by vaccination

will lose half of its effectiveness in 108 days
will lose half of its effectiveness in 108 days

antibody levels against COVID-19 decrease steadily over time
antibody levels against COVID-19 decrease steadily over time

increasing the risk of breakthrough infection
increasing the risk of breakthrough infection

so for example a vaccine that provides 90% immunity will only provide 70% protection after 6 or 7 months
so for example a vaccine that provides 90% immunity will only provide 70% protection after 6 or 7 months

through getting booster shots you will regain antibodies and decrease the risk of contracting COVID 19
through getting booster shots you will regain antibodies and decrease the risk of contracting COVID 19

I hope this video answered all your questions. For more cool videos remember to subscribe.
I hope this video answered all your questions. For more cool videos remember to subscribe.