Issue link: https://beckershealthcare.uberflip.com/i/1462389
16 PATIENT SAFETY & OUTCOMES Most common symptoms of 3 coronavirus variants By Gabrielle Masson P eople with COVID-19 have reported a wide range of symptoms, with some symptoms appearing more oen for different variants of the virus. Below, Becker's has compiled lists of frequently reported symptoms for three of the coronavirus variants based on emerging research. e lists are not exhaustive. Frequently reported omicron symptoms (BA.1): • Sore throat • Headache • Runny nose • Congestion • Cough • Lower back pain • Fatigue Unvaccinated individuals appear to experience symptoms similar to those seen early in the pandemic. Among patients with severe omicron cases, the main complaint has been fever and respiratory symptoms that require oxygen Frequently reported delta symptoms (B.1.617.2): • Sore throat • Headache • Runny nose • Fever • Diarrhea/GI problems Frequently reported alpha symptoms (B.1.1.7): • New loss of taste or smell • Fever or chills • Cough • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing • Fatigue • Muscle or body aches • Headache • Sore throat • Congestion or runny nose • Nausea or vomiting • Diarrhea n Intermountain unveils long COVID-19 navigation program By Mackenzie Bean I ntermountain Healthcare is rolling out a program to im- prove long-term care for patients with long COVID-19, the Salt Lake City-based health system said Feb. 14. The Intermountain Healthcare Long COVID Navigation Pro- gram is designed for people who still have chronic symp- toms at least three months after recovering from COVID-19. The program will help triage resources and care for these individuals. Based on their symptoms and needs, patients will be referred to a specialist who will follow up with them and address any ongoing issues. "As far as we know, this is one of the first kinds of COVID patient navigation programs in the nation," Dixie Harris, MD, a critical care physician at Intermountain who treats COVID-19 patients, said in a news release. "This is not a standalone clinic, but a multidisciplinary approach and resource for patients across the state of Utah who are experiencing long COVID." n COVID-19 can destroy placenta, lead to stillbirth, study finds By Erica Carbajal A mong pregnant women, the coronavirus can severely damage the placenta, leading to fetal asphyxiation and stillbirth, according to research published Feb. 10 in the Archives of Pathology & Labora- tory Medicine. The research team evaluated placentas from 68 perinatal deaths (64 stillbirths and four neonatal deaths) from 12 countries to better understand how COVID-19 may lead to perinatal death. All of the expecting mothers in the study had COVID-19 at some point during their pregnan- cies and were unvaccinated. Researchers found 77 percent of the placenta had been destroyed on average among the 68 cases. "We have never seen this level of destruction from an infectious illness before. It rendered the placenta unfit to carry out its duties," David Schwartz, MD, lead study au- thor and perinatal pathologist in Atlanta, told NBC News. "These fetuses and newborns died from asphyxiation due to lack of oxygen." Researchers referred to the process of placental destruc- tion as SARS-CoV-2 placentitis, which can happen over days to two weeks. It involves a buildup of the protein fibrin, which causes clotting in the placenta's vascular system, cell death in the organ's protective cell layer and abnormal inflammation in the placenta. In November, a CDC report found that while rare, pregnant women who contract COVID-19 are at slightly higher risk for stillbirth compared to uninfected women. The findings underscore the importance of vaccination among pregnant women, according to health experts. n