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Delta variant: Things you should know about this COVID-19 strain
Updated Jan. 27, 2023
The delta variant, which originated in India, began spreading rapidly and making news around the middle of June 2021. Here's what health experts have learned about the delta variant:
Delta variant symptoms are the same
The symptoms of the delta variant appear to be the same as the original version of COVID-19. However, physicians are seeing people getting sicker quicker, especially for younger people. Recent research found that the delta variant grows more rapidly – and to much greater levels – in the respiratory tract.
Typically, vaccinated people are either asymptomatic or have very mild symptoms if they contract the delta variant. Their symptoms are more like those of a common cold, such as cough, fever or headache, with the addition of significant loss of smell.
Learn how to schedule your COVID-19 vaccine at UC Davis Health
Learn the symptoms of COVID-19 and what symptoms will likely show first
Many unvaccinated patients with COVID-19 wish they had gotten the vaccine
UC Davis Health physicians have noted that a number of younger patients, when they come in with critical illness, say that they wish they would have gotten the COVID-19 vaccine. Many patients have told their physicians, "Why did I not get the vaccine?" or "Why did I not listen?"
Wear masks to protect against delta and other variants, even if you're fully vaccinated
Health experts across the country are wearing masks themselves even though they're fully vaccinated to protect against the delta variant and other COVID-19 mutations. They're also advising vaccinated people to avoid large gatherings and mask up indoors where the vaccination status of other people is unknown.
UC Davis Health experts answer your questions about masking
Learn how to schedule your COVID-19 vaccine at UC Davis Health
Omicron BA.5 variant has taken over
In the late summer and fall of 2021, the delta variant was the dominate strain of COVID-19 in the U.S. Since summer 2021, the omicron BA.5 variant took over as the main mutation of COVID-19 in the fall of 2022. Although the omicron BA.5 variant is likely more contagious than any other strain to date, it generally causes less severe symptoms than the delta variant.
Latest on COVID-19 From UC Davis Health
When to Contact Your Provider
If you have serious symptoms of illness, contact your primary care provider. UC Davis Health patients can use the MyUCDavisHealth symptom tracker to evaluate whether to seek help. Telehealth video visits and Express Care are also available.
If you have a medical emergency, call 911 and notify them of your COVID-19 symptoms.
Ways to Seek Treatment
If you test positive for COVID-19 at home, you can contact your primary care provider about a prescription for Paxlovid.
Patients who receive primary care or specialty care from UC Davis Health can schedule a telehealth video visit with Express Care.
Visitor Policies
To help limit spread of COVID-19, we have policies for visits to our hospital and outpatient clinics.