Omicron Virus
Omicron first case was registered on November 26 in Botswana, South Africa. From now on, omicron has infected more than 80 countries. The Omicron variant is currently the most rapidly surging variant of coronavirus. WHO has designated it as the “variant of concern.” So the next big thing that comes to the layman’s mind is the Omicron symptoms? What’s the best way to treat if one gets an omicron virus? Stay tuned with us to know the best Unani treatment for omicron.
What is the omicron virus?
Omicron is the variant of coronavirus with a high global risk of causing pandemics. Although, it is a milder variant than delta. Scientists recognized omicrons while having more than 50 mutations. Alpha, beta delta, and other variants carried out some mutations. Some modifications were known to evade coronavirus antibodies produced by vaccines.
It is mild as it has less severe cases in hospitals. But it has doubled, surging throughout the world. It doubles two to four days in a shorter time than the Delta variant. Research is conducted to get to know the core of why it is doubling so quickly. Studies have shown that the risk of reinfection is five times greater than any other variant. Well, now, we’ve got a brief overview of Omicron.
| VirusVariantFirst Detected in Date of detection Variant type designated as | CoronavirusOmicron Botswana, South AfricaNovember 24, 2021Variant of concern |
Are omicron symptoms different?
Let’s discuss the symptoms firstly.
- The experts say that the omicron variant has similar symptoms to any other variant. Although the symptoms are identical, they are at a milder level.
- Most commonly occurring omicron symptoms include fever, shortness of breath, cough, and muscle ache( fatigue)
- A patient infected with omicron doesn’t face a great loss of taste and smell. So, case studies detect loss of little taste and smell.
- According to reported cases, it has similar symptoms of the delta variant but at a milder level.
- The WHO also said: “currently no information to suggest that symptoms associated with Omicron are different from those from other variants.”
- They also said: “there is no information to suggest that Omicron causes different COVID-19 symptoms from other COVID-19 variants.”
1st Case Study of South Africa
According to the South Africa Media report, the omicron variant causes mild illness and less hospitalization in late November. At South Africa’s Department of Health on November 29, Unben Pillay, a family doctor practicing on the outskirts of Johannesburg, said that while it was still early days,
“We are seeing patients present with dry cough, fever, night sweats, and a lot of body pains. Vaccinated people tend to do much better.”
In addition, he said:
Most of her patients are facing severe tiredness with no loss of taste or smell.
Latest Reported Symptoms
- Most reported cases to show symptoms like
- Headache
- Cough
- Lethargy
- Headache
- Sore throat
- And more than half reported fever.
Another case study of reported omicron variant symptoms is
- Cough, fatigue, and a blocked or runny nose.
Endnote: Stay connected with us to know more updates on Omicron.
Can the omicron virus infect a vaccinated person?
Yes, vaccinated people can get Omicron infection. But, the vaccine can lessen the effect of severity of the disease. The booster dose does cut the chances of getting omicrons.
Explanation
According to a CDC report, 34 individuals infected with Omicron — were fully vaccinated when they developed symptoms or tested positive for Covid. Fourteen had received a booster dose. While six had previously been infected with the coronavirus.
Do you get immunity from the previous coronavirus?
No, not very well. Omicron has spike protein, altering surface protein shape against coronavirus antibodies.
Explanation
Another report shows around 70% of South Africans were infected with omicron, which was earlier affected with a coronavirus.
How much does a vaccine protect against omicron? Is it worth getting vaccinated?
It is still worth it to get vaccinated. A completely vaccinated person has more resistance toward the virus than a nonvaccinated person. Studies show complete vaccination plus a booster shot protects against Omicron infection. Yet, two doses of a vaccine-like Pfizer-BioNTech’s or Moderna’s provide less protection without a booster. Still, two doses of any vaccine appear to protect against severe disease from Omicron. Get vaccinated soon!
Is there any pill for the treatment of coronavirus variants?
Different pharmaceutical companies are working on antiviral pills for coronavirus variants. Unani physicians are also working on herbal formulation and antiviral medications.
Best Unani Treatment for Omicron Variant
The word Waba refers to pandemic and epidemic.
According to USM, an epidemic occurs when ajsam-e-khabitha (contagion) air, water, or soil. During the epidemic, Unani practitioners suggest preventive measures. It may be avoiding unnecessary travel and isolating infected people (Quarantine).
Researchers are conducting Omicron for the best Unani treatment. Unani Practitioners recommend boosting immunity.
According to Zakariya Razi, autumn is a favorable climate for infection to spread rapidly.
According to Ibn e Sina, epidemics spread from one person to another or one place to another.
Tabi’at is the power responsible for all bodily functions and restoring health when compromised. Different Unani physicians define tabi’at in various manners.
Definition of tabi’at by USM:
“The innate ability of the human body to self-restore is Tabi’at.”
If tabi’at is at an optimum level, the person isn’t suffering from any disease. But if it is less than intermediate level or weakens, the person is susceptible to disease.
If your tabi’at is not optimized, you need to optimize the process. A healthy habitat helps the body to fight against the disease.
The key to optimizing the tabia’t include:
- Unani Regimental Therapies (Ilaj Bil Tadbeer)
- Pharmacotherapy (laj Bil Dawa)
- Diet therapy (Ilaj Bil Ghiza)
Unani Regimental Therapies (Ilaj Bil Tadbeer)
In regimental therapies, we regulate the individual’s lifestyle and dietary habits. Boosting immunity is the primary concern for omicron or any other coronavirus variant. Prevention is better than cure is the best solution to omicron.
The Unani physician recommends wearing the mask, social distancing, and sanitizing the hands. We should follow SOP.
Diet Therapy (Ilaj Bil Ghiza)
We can prevent the severity of disease or infection by having a balanced diet. Diet therapy minimizes actual treatment duration and increases the drug’s effect on the body. We can comprehend that malnutrition is one of the causes of immunodeficiency. So improving diet is the key to protecting the body against omicron. You should be aware that both deficiency and effective nutrient causes adverse effects. Hence, you need to maintain a proper diet.
Pharmacotherapy (Ilaj Bil Dawa)
Drugs used for pharmacotherapy strengthen mental and physical health. Furthermore, it improves the defense mechanism of the body. We can use immunomodulators, tiryaqat, and muqawwiyat for immunity boost and better defense mechanisms.
*** Drugs used in USM are mainly originated from animal, plant, or mineral sources.
Immunomodulators
Immunomodulators are substances that either suppress or stimulate specific or non-specific immunity. In USM, Unani physicians prescribe herbs and compounds to treat many diseases.
For immunity boost, Unani practitioners recommend immunomodulators with active constituents. It is primarily phytochemicals, including terpenoids, glycosides, flavonoids, essential oil, and alkaloids. These constituents regulate the optimum tabi’at. It includes single herbs:
- Asgand (Withania Somnifera)
- Gilo (Tinospora Cordifolia)
- Elwa (Aloe Vera)
- Amla (Emblica Officinalis)
- Kalonji (Nigella sativa)
- Neelofar (Nelumbo Nucifera)
- Darchini (Cinnamomum zeylanicum)
Antidotes (Tiryaqat)
Tiryaq: antidote
It (plural: tiryaqat) is an Unani compound used to boost immunity. It has been used for centuries, as IBN E SINA employed it for treating cholera and plague. The Unani practitioner prescribes it for a new coronavirus variant as well.
Tiryaq wabai consist of three constituents:
- Sibr (Aloe barbadensis),
- Zaafran (Crocus sativus)
- And Mur (Commiphora myrrh)
Muqawwiyat
It is a non-toxic substance that helps to improve and maintain human health. They effectively act on organs and enhance the function of that specific organ.
- Anjeer (ficus carica) provides nourishment to the body organ.
- Zafraan (Crocus Sativus) works as antioxident
- Amla (Emblica officinalis) works as an antioxidant and antiaging agent.
- Marwareed (Pearl) works as an immunopotienting agent.
If we don’t follow SOP properly, omicron can cause a high global risk. Omicron is the variant of concern as it is doubling in two to four days. Although, itis a milder variant, it can be dangerous as fewer symptoms appear. If the variant spreads all over the world, testing can be difficult as well.
