In the journal JAMA Network Open, a study by scientists from the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles appeared, which showed how often omicron disease goes unnoticed by carriers of the virus. More than half of those infected with this strain may not be aware that they are sick, and because of this unintentional spread of the infection, according to NewScientist. This is probably what helps the omicron cause new outbreaks around the world.
American researchers took blood from 2479 people - at least two samples from each participant. The first take occurred before an omicron outbreak occurred in Los Angeles, where the study was being conducted. Subsequent ones during the period when omicron became the dominant strain and gave rise to several subtypes like BA.4 and BA.5.
Between the first and subsequent tests, 210 people were found to have antibodies to covid. They weren’t caused by vaccination: to make sure, the doctors studied the levels of IgG-N, an antibody that rises as a result of exposure to the coronavirus but remains low after vaccination.
More than half - 56% - of the 210 newly infected participants did not notice an infection. Only one in ten said they experienced mild symptoms but attributed them to other causes, such as the common cold.
These results show how important it is to take precautions, even if you consider yourself practically healthy and not dangerous to others.