Russia (bbabo.net), - Omicron is rapidly spreading across the country, many regions have already introduced additional restrictions. How to behave properly so as not to get infected? What to do if you feel that you are getting sick? - The week, as usual, brought together all the latest opinions and recommendations of reputable experts.

How is Omicron different from previous strains?

The incubation period for "omicron" is shorter than for "delta" infection: from 2 to 5 days compared to 6-8 days. Moreover, a person who falls ill with this variant of coronavirus can be contagious as early as the first day after infection. Therefore, "omicron" is transmitted 7 times faster than "delta".

Is it possible to avoid infection?

"Omicron" is not only more contagious, it has the ability to bypass the antibody protection in those who have been ill and vaccinated. Therefore, today both those who have not been vaccinated and those who have been vaccinated and even revaccinated become infected. "The probability of becoming infected with the" omicron "strain in those who have already had an infection is approximately 15-20%, while with the circulation of the previous variants, the risk of re-infection was less than 1-2%," said Natalya Pshenichnaya, deputy director for clinical and analytical work of the Central Research Institute of Epidemiology of Rospotrebnadzor. According to foreign studies, vaccination, even with the use of a booster, also does not provide 100% protection against infection.

Therefore, non-specific ("barrier") methods of protection are now coming to the fore. Renowned biologist Ancha Baranova believes the best strategy now is to try to isolate. "It is clear that this is not always possible - people went to work and study, they are forced to travel by public transport. But where possible, contacts should be avoided," the scientist noted.

Tatyana Ruzhentsova, Deputy Director of the Moscow Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology named after Gabrichevsky Rospotrebnadzor, recalls that barrier methods that have become customary will also protect against "omicron". “This, of course, is maintaining social distance, avoiding crowded places, wearing masks, using disinfectants, hygiene procedures,” the expert said.

The chance of getting infected with "omicron" in those who have been ill is 15-20%

“In addition, after contacts, it is advisable to wash not only your hands, but also your face, rinse your throat, mouth, if there was direct contact with a likely infected person or with a person who already has symptoms of infection,” Tatyana Ruzhentsova advises. And Andrey Isaev, head of the Center for Molecular Genetic Research DNAOM, draws attention to the fact that the disease in many now begins with conjunctivitis, which means that it is very likely that "omicron" is actively introduced into the body through the mucous membrane of the eye.

What to do if a person feels that he has ARVI? How to understand if it is "omicron" or another respiratory infection?

“In most cases, an omicron infection clinically looks like a banal ARVI,” says the famous doctor and TV presenter Alexander Myasnikov. “Therefore, if you have symptoms of a common cold, we are treated at home with conventional means. As for a runny nose, pain and sore throat, there are many time-tested drugs, and no one canceled folk remedies - bed rest, plenty of warm drinks, broths and other light food.

But since "omicron" is still not a banal cold, you should not relax, and if the condition worsens, you should immediately consult a doctor.

When immediate medical attention is needed:

- concerned about shortness of breath, even with a slight load or at rest;

- the temperature is above 38 degrees, it cannot be brought down;

- there is lethargy, drowsiness, confusion of thoughts;

- there are symptoms of dehydration: dizziness, dry mouth, palpitations, infrequent urination;

- Saturation is constantly below 94%.

“What you definitely don’t need to take as self-medication for mild and moderate COVID-19 is antibiotics - they don’t work on the virus, and addiction and further insensitivity to this type of treatment or side effects can be earned quickly. You also can’t take steroids on your own hormones and blood-thinning drugs... Only a doctor can prescribe these drugs - strictly individually, according to fairly limited indications! Myasnikov warned.

Additional advice on the treatment of an inflamed nasopharynx was given by Andrey Kryukov, the chief otorhinolaryngologist of Moscow. "To relieve inflammation in the throat, it is good to use antiseptic solutions - regularly, four to five times a day, gargle. To reduce pain, you can use tablets or sprays with an anesthetic, but not more than two to three times a day - this is important. Sprays with saline, vasoconstrictor drops relieve nasal congestion well. At the same time, drops should not be used for more than seven days, "said Dr. Kryukov.

If the vaccinated are also infected with the "omicronome", why is it recommended to revaccinate?“Yes, vaccination does not prevent the possibility of infection. However, vaccination in most cases protects against a severe course of the disease. This also applies to Omicron and other more dangerous strains of coronavirus,” says Dr. Myasnikov.

Back to news . In Moscow, for example, they record on a booster at the request of a person - you can choose "Light", you can use the full "Sputnik V". Much depends on the individual characteristics of the organism. For example, if a person had a first vaccination with complications, the doctor may recommend a different drug for a second immunization. Recall that, in addition to the Sputnik family, the EpiVacCorona and KoviVac vaccines have been registered in Russia.

Deputy Director of the Central Research Institute of Epidemiology Alexander Gorelov says that it is advisable to re-vaccinate with a vaccine made on a different platform, since as a result the range of antibodies produced is expanding. At the same time, the head of the Gamaleya Center, Alexander Gintsburg, believes that for the age of 65+, taking into account the arrival of "omicron", it is better to carry out the second vaccination with a two-dose "Sputnik V". Nevertheless, in practice, one-dose Sputnik Light is usually recommended for those vaccinated with Sputnik V, since other vaccines are inferior to Sputnik in production volumes, and they are far from always available in medical institutions.

“It made sense to revaccinate with Sputnik Light when the first studies appeared showing that Sputnik forms immunity against Omicron better than Western vaccines. But this should have been done in December. Vaccination is always good, but at the moment it is more important to avoid crowds of people who can be contagious," said Andrey Isaev, head of the Center for Molecular Genetic Research DNAOM.

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