This is Often the "First Sign" of Omicron Infection — Eat This Not That - Eat This, Not That

As vigilant and cautious as we might be, the possibility of getting the COVID variant is likely according to experts.

Anthony Fauci, the chief medical advisor to the President and the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said last week the variant will "find just about everyone." He reminded people about the importance of getting vaccinated.

"Omicron, with its extraordinary, unprecedented degree of efficiency of transmissibility, will ultimately find just about everybody," Dr.

Health talked with experts who explained the signs of Omicron to watch out for and what precautions to take.

Read on—and to ensure your health and the health of others, don't miss these Sure Signs You've Already Had COVID.

Kristina Hendija explains, "Like its mother variant, omicron still affects the respiratory tract leading to either productive or non-productive cough.

However, these are all signs of the flu and common cold as well – except for the shortness of breath, which more-so would point to COVID.".

There are many misconceptions that Omicron is like the flu or a seasonal cold, but it's not according to doctors.

Daniel Culver, chair of the Department of Pulmonary Medicine at the Cleveland Clinic told USA TODAY, "The common cold typically causes mild, self-limited symptoms whereas omicron, like other COVID variants, can result in serious or fatal illness.".

"While many people can have mild to moderate symptoms when infected with COVID-19, he said more than 800,000 Americans have died due to the virus – and that number is "likely an underestimate of the real lethality of COVID-19." .

The symptoms of Omicron and the flu can be very similar, so how do you know if you have the variant

So follow the public health fundamentals and help end this pandemic, no matter where you live—get vaccinated or boosted ASAP; if you live in an area with low vaccination rates, wear an N95 face mask, don't travel, social distance, avoid large crowds, don't go indoors with people you're not sheltering with (especially in bars), practice good hand hygiene, and to protect your life and the lives of others, don't visit any of these 35 Places You're Most Likely to Catch COVID