Omicron infections appear no less severe than Delta; COVID-19 lowers sperm count, motility

[ecstatic]

Infections caused by the Omicron variant of the coronavirus do not appear to be less severe than infections from Delta, according to early data from the UK.

Researchers at Imperial College London compared 11,329 people with confirmed or likely Omicron infections with nearly 200,000 people infected with other variants. So far, according to a report issued ahead of peer review and updated on Monday, they see "no evidence of Omicron having lower severity than Delta, judged by either the proportion of people testing positive who report symptoms, or by the proportion of cases seeking hospital care after infection."

...

Sperm quality is impaired for months for some people after recovery from COVID-19, researchers have found.

The semen itself was not infectious, the researchers found. But among 35 men who provided samples within a month after recovery from symptomatic infection, reductions in sperm motility were evident in 60% and sperm counts were reduced in 37%. As reported on Monday in Fertility and Sterility, semen samples were obtained from 120 Belgian men with an average age of 35 years, at an average of 52 days after their COVID-19 symptoms had resolved. Among 51 men tested between one and two months after recovery, 37% had reduced sperm motility and 29% had low sperm counts. Among 34 men who provided semen samples at least two months after recovery, sperm motility was impaired in 28% and sperm counts were low in 6%. The severity of COVID-19 infection was not correlated with sperm characteristics.

https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/omicron-infections-appear-no-less-severe-than-delta-covid-19-lowers-sperm-count-2021-12-20/

I figured as much regarding the severity question. We're all witnessing the fallout in real time.

[bucolic_frolic]

1. I think they've known about omicron for weeks, but didn't know how to tell the public without panic

It's taken over so fast it didn't matter

[Takket]

2. how do we get the sperm info on every media source front page/leading story?

it might actually get some idiots vaccinated

[Johnny2X2X]

3. Horrific

Hope the other studies prove true and this is wrong. Because if this is as severe as Delta we’re going to see a million more US deaths.

[crimycarny]

4. In our hospital we're not seeing as many severe cases as during Delta wave

But it's way too early to tell of course. And that can be because more people are vaccinated, they've gotten better at dealing with COVID...all sorts of reasons. But the symptoms DO seem a bit different. No loss of taste or smell for example. And, with breakthrough anyway, not as many have fever as a symptom.

[Johnny2X2X]

6. Good to know

I’m fighting a break through case right now. Had Covid last Fall and am fully vaccinated and got my booster a couple months ago. This is brutal this time around. Way worse than whatever version I fought off in 2020. I realize there’s a lot of factors at play of why this is worse this time around, but this is scary right now.

The early reports that Omicron might not be as severe I think put people’s guards down.

[Doodley]

5. But if the symptoms are less severe, less people will seek testing,

likely less people will have any symptoms at all, and those that do test positive will do so because of symptoms at a similar level to symptoms with other variants.

So, it may not be telling us the full story to say "they see "no evidence of Omicron having lower severity than Delta, judged by either the proportion of people testing positive who report symptoms, or by the proportion of cases seeking hospital care after infection."

[NickB79]

7. But the unvaxxed purebloods were going to repopulate the planet!

We're doomed! DOOMED!!!!

[ecstatic]

8. Right. Lol!!

Looks like that won't be happening.