Differences Between Omicron Infections and Fever Outpatients: Comparison of Clinical Manifestations and Initial Routine Hematology Indicators

PURPOSE: We evaluated the differences between patients with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant infections and Fever outpatients, so that prevention and control measures can be taken in time. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study retrospectively analyzed 65 patients with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant. Sixty-nine age- and sex-matched Fever outpatients were enrolled during the same period of time. We also reanalyzed data from 81 SARS-CoV-2 Wild-Type-infected patients. We compared the clinical characteristics and initial indexes of routine tests among the 3 groups. RESULTS: A total of 93.8% of the patients with Omicron infections had clinical symptoms, and the major symptoms were cough, fever and pharyngalgia. Pharyngalgia was a specific manifestation in Omicron group compared to Wild-Type group. The white blood cell of the Omicron group was lower than that of the Fever group [5.0 (3.6–6.1) vs 10.1 (7.6–12.9) ×10(9)/L, P < 0.001]. The neutrophil count in Omicron group was lower than that in Fever and Wild-Type group [2.6 (1.8–3.9) vs 8.1 (5.9–10.9), P < 0.001; 2.6 (1.8–3.9) vs 3.4 (2.5–4.7) ×10(9)/L, P < 0.001]. The white blood cell and neutrophil counts were lower in Omicron group than in the Fever group. The top 5 major symptoms were fever, cough, pharyngalgia, headache and expectoration. CONCLUSION: There are differences between the patients with Omicron infections and Fever outpatients, both in clinical manifestations and initial routine hematology indicators. We hope to provide some clues for early identification combined with a history of living in the epidemic area.