关于Covid-19的Omicron变体的最新内容：发生了什么变化？

Updated Dec. 23, 2021

Theomicron varianthas now overtaken thedelta variant在美国，是导致SARS-COV-2病毒的主要菌株COVID-19. As of Monday, Dec. 20, 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that omicron accounts for 73% of all new documented cases here.

To find out the latest on the omicronmutation, we checked in again with infectious diseases specialist and head of Internal MedicineDavid Tweardy, M.D.

那么，我们现在对Omicron了解什么？

Earlier in December, there were three main questions:

• Is this variant more transmissible?
• 会导致更严重的疾病吗？
• And, will our current vaccinations be effective against it?

那时第一个问题的答案还不清楚，因为它还为时过早。但是现在，我们看到Omicron取代了Delta并变得越来越突出，因此答案看起来非常像“是”。

Just a few days ago, omicron accounted for only about 3% of all reported cases in the U.S., and the majority of infections were still largely due to delta. In only a week, that figure has jumped to 73%. So, that’s the strongest evidence yet that omicron is more transmissible than delta.

但这实际上是这三个消息中最糟糕的消息。所以，不要绝望。对其他两个问题的答案更有希望。

How so? Does omicron cause less severe disease?

Omicron still does not appear to be causing more severe disease among those infected with it, though the reasons why remain unclear. Is it because omicron is simply a less virulent pathogen? Or is this just a natural consequence of immunity, whetherinfection-basedor from COVID-19vaccination?

The answer is: we don’t know yet. But at this point, there’s still no evidence showing omicron causes more severe infection. Even in the United Kingdom, where omicron really exploded, they’ve only just had their first death from it.

What about the third question? Will our existing COVID-19 vaccines be effective against omicron?

This answer really makes the case for the value of COVID-19booster shots.

Because while the neutralizing antibodies generated afterinitialvaccination have been substantially less effective against omicron than they’ve been against delta, the good news is that a booster shot really revs those antibody levels back up. So, boosters still confer good protection.

我们一定会看到一些完全接种疫苗的人会得到breakthrough infections, but the good news is that the vaccines are still doing their job of preventing severe illness that may require hospitalization.

Why are booster shots important?

The protection offered by a booster shot is two-fold. First, it will make you less likely to beinfectedby omicron. And second, it will make you less likely to developsevere diseaseor die from it if you do contract it.

One thing many people may not understand is that there’s a difference between “infection” and “disease.” You can be “infected” with something, but still not develop “disease,” because your body neutralizes it before it can actually make you sick.

The protection conferred by a COVID-19 booster may allow your body to neutralize the coronavirus during the first wave of its infectious process, while it’s still in your nasopharyngeal tract. So, you might not actually become ill, or even notice anything going on. That’s why I tell people to get a booster shot as quickly as they can, as soon as they become eligible for it.

While low levels of neutralizing antibodies can protect you against serious disease, high levels of antibodies can protect you against both infection和disease. So, that’s a very important distinction to make.

What else can I do to protect myself against omicron?

In addition to getting vaccinated if you’re not already or getting a booster shot if you’re eligible, it’s important to continuemasking和physical distancing, and staying home and getting tested if you feel sick.

If you’re outdoors, you don’t need to wear a mask unless you’re in a crowded area, an area of high transmission, or someplace you can’t maintain social distancing.

如果我感染了COVID，该怎么办？

If you’re showing symptoms of a COVID-19 infection, get tested and isolate yourself until you learn the results. If the test is positive, followthe CDC’s guidelines for self-care.

If you’ve beenexposed对于Covid-19的患者，但没有任何症状的人，可以接受Covid-19的测试，因为您可能仍被感染。

The two antivirals developed for COVID-19 have just been been granted emergency use authorization by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and should become available for eligible patients soon.

Any new guidance for cancer patients or immunocompromised individuals?

No. Not really. Just get yourthird doseas soon as possible, if you haven’t already done so. And talk to your care team about thebest time to do it.

Anything else for people to know right now about omicron?

One thing I find somewhat hopeful is that omicron appears to be evolving in the same direction as those viruses that cause the common cold.

It’s very early on, of course, so it’s too soon to say that for sure. But the natural history of any new pathogen is that it tends to evolve so as not to be so severe, because it wants to persist forever. And some very smart people are making these observations right now, based on the data available to them.

The evolutionary process has likely been accelerated a little by the vaccine. But about five different coronaviruses cause the common cold right now. So, it’s at leastpossiblethat the coronavirus could end up as more of an aggravation than an existential threat.

Schedule a COVID-19 vaccine or booster appointmentatMD Anderson. Appointments are open to patients, caregivers and the general public.