Amid rising cases of Omicron variant of Covid-19, the UAE doctors have recommended all residents to take a test for virus even if they are just suffering from a mild cold to avoid risking vulnerable individuals.

Dr Tholfkar Al Baaj, chief clinical officer at Al Futtaim Health, said, "Distinguishing between flu and Covid-19 infections can be hard. Here we try to break down what we know about Omicron symptoms so far - remember, much is unknown this early in the outbreak - and how they may differ from the common cold and flu, or even from the previous variant, Delta."

Scientists are still studying the new variant’s impact and how severe symptoms can it cause. "Some hopeful news arrived this week, with three teams of scientists, who studied the course Omicron took in South Africa, Scotland, and England, releasing preliminary results that showed infections more often resulted in mild illness compared to those from the Delta variant before it. The findings suggested those infected were less likely to be hospitalized," said Dr Al Baaj.

A recent study established that the Omicron variant and common cold have similar genetic makeups. Dr Abdal Karim Nasaar, a pulmonologist at Burjeel Speciality Hospital, Sharjah, said, "The study suggests the symptoms are almost similar. The only difference is the loss of smell, and that may not be enough to differentiate the two."

Dr Nasaar added, "Considering the new variant appeared during flu season, it is better to get tested if you are suffering from symptoms. It will help one to rule out any possibility of infection and keep the general populace safe."

Dr Mohammed Salman Khan, a general practitioner at Aster Clinic in Qusais, said, "A lot of patients coming to clinics or hospitals with symptoms of flu and fever tend to avoid undergoing PCR tests even at the insistence of the doctors. They tend to ignore thinking it's normal weather change or seasonal flu and that they have taken the vaccine. Hence they are safe." He added that these misconceptions must change. "Individuals should get tested for Covid-19 even if they have mild symptoms."

Dr Khan said, "Although vaccinations are the best means to protect oneself from Covid-19, however, eventually there is also possibility that you may still get infected mostly with milder symptoms. CDC terms this as "vaccine breakthrough infection", which happens in Covid-positive individuals."

"No vaccine is ever 100 per cent effective at preventing infection, and breakthrough infections are occurring," said Dr Al Baaj.

A new study shows the SARS-CoV-2 virus transmits using an underground form of transmission, which is away from the immune system and spreads from cell to cell. "Simply put, the virus spreads from one cell to another as there is no immunity to prevent them there. They remain tucked within cell walls. These target cells become donor cells, and thus a wave is created," said Dr Al Baaj.

"We were able to confirm cell-to-cell transmission is not sensitive to inhibition from antibodies from Covid-19 patients or vaccinated individuals," Dr Al Baaj said.

"Cell-to-cell transmission resistance to antibody neutralization is probably something we should watch for as SARS-CoV-2 variants continue to emerge, including the most recent, Omicron. In this sense, developing effective antiviral drugs targeting other steps of viral infection is critical," he added.

Dr Nasaar explained, "Covid vaccine breakthrough infections are expected. Fully vaccinated people with a vaccine breakthrough infection are less likely to develop serious illness compared to those who are unvaccinated and infected."

He added that fully vaccinated people are showing less severe symptoms as compared to those in unvaccinated people. This keeps them at very less chances of getting hospitalized or die than people who have not been vaccinated.