New Covid 'variant' is more like flu and has one very different symptom (original) (raw)

New covid variant XEC unexpectedly emerges with severe symptoms- could 'wipe people out worldwide'

As the new XEC Covid variant spreads around the world, a GP has shared the symptoms she is seeing in her practice - and how it differs from previous strains

A fresh Covid variant is sweeping across the globe, poised to become the dominant strain. Amid tales of new coughs and colds reminiscent of Covid symptoms, Dr Helen Wall has shared insights from her practice about what's really going on with the virus.

Dr Wall has pointed out some severe Covid symptoms that are 'seem to be really wiping people out', distinguishing them from the milder impacts seen in past variants.

For healthcare professionals like this Bolton GP, the challenge lies in differentiating these symptoms from other common seasonal illnesses, especially as temperatures drop and schools fill up again.

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However, there's a vital step you can take to avoid being laid low for an extended period or even ending up in the hospital, according to Dr Wall. The clinical director of population health in Greater Manchester has observed an uptick in sickness linked to the new XEC coronavirus variant, as reported by the Manchester Evening News.

She noted: "We do see generally a rise in respiratory infections this time of year. There is another Covid variant on the scene which is expected to become the most dominant, and is becoming more prevalent like all the variants before it."

"We don't completely know if it makes it more or less transmissible, I suspect more because they always are. But we don't know what the situation is.", reports the Liverpool Echo.

Researchers have identified XEC as a recombinant variant, which happens when two separate strains mergean event that can occur if someone catches both strains at once. Emerging from the fusion of KP.

3.3 and KS. 1.1, with ties to the omicron variant initially detected in South Africa in 2021, XEC is notable for its high transmission rate and milder effects relative to initial SARS-CoV-2 strains.

Claims from some corners of the scientific community suggest that XEC may carry a growth advantage, potentially outpacing other variants currently in circulation. This could position it as the new frontrunner strain worldwide in the coming months.

Dr Wall observed that the most recent coronavirus cases she's encountered are more reminiscent of influenza than prior forms of the virus.

In recent times, Covid seems to leave individuals completely drained, described by Dr Wall as being 'wiped out'. She noted: "We could well be seeing the new Covid variant in practice. At the moment, it seems to be a bit more flu-like than previous iterations of Covid, with a high temperature, a cough, aching body, headache."

She added: "Some of the symptoms in the past were more cough and cold symptoms, but at the moment, Covid does seem to be wiping people out. We're seeing an increase in respiratory infections, you see that every time the weather changes, and there's always a rise when the children go back to school."

"But whether that's Covid is really difficult to say because a lot of the symptoms blur together with other illnesses that are prevalent at this time of year. Whether it's Covid versus flu is hard to separate."

"People who have the flu tend to be extremely unwell. Sometimes, people say they've got the flu but have actually got a bad cold. Generally, if you've got true flu, you're bed bound. With Covid, you might actually be quite well. You might be coughing and having other symptoms, but able to go about your business and you might be unintentionally spreading it to people who are vulnerable."

Covid testing has waned significantly since the conclusion of mass testing initiatives and owing to the expense of acquiring lateral flow kits. The lack of a widespread, obligate tracker exacerbates the challenge public health authorities face in pinning down exact case numbers and the rate at which new variants propagate.

According to Dr Wall, the statistics available to public health officials are 'skewed' as the figures are predominantly sourced from hospital admissions, where individuals are either gravely stricken by Covid or contract the virus during their stay for other ailments or injuries.

In light of scant concrete data, Dr Wall emphasizes the imperative of vaccinations against what the NHS calls this year's 'tripledemic' of winter bugs. The NHS this season rolls out the novel respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine, as well as Covid and flu inoculations.

Dr. Wall acknowledges the vaccine fatigue people may be experiencing, especially when considering the discomfort that can follow a shot. She emphasizes the importance of vaccination despite these temporary aches, stating: "Three vaccines is a lot, and some people might think it's just another thing to worry about, or get the new RSV jab but then not get the Covid and flu jabs too."

She also understands the challenges faced by individuals during the cost-of-living crisis, saying: "The difficulty is that people are working, there's a cost-of-living crisis people don't want to be off work to get a vaccine or if they're feeling a little unwell because of any side effects. But I'd encourage people to keep in mind the bigger picture."

Dr. Wall reassures that most vaccine side effects are short-lived and many people experience none at all: "Most vaccine side effects go within a few hours to 24 hours, around half of the people who get a vaccine won't get side effects at all. If you get any of these illnesses, you'll be off work for much longer."

Highlighting the risk of severe illness without vaccination, she advises: "If you've been deemed eligible for these vaccines, it's because we think you're going to be very ill if you get these and end up in hospital. It's about keeping that in perspective, you don't want to look back and wish you'd had the jabs."

For those feeling slightly ill, Dr. Wall offers familiar guidance: "It's not like it was during the peak of Covid, but a lot of the general advice remains the same. If you have a high fever, try not to mix with people. If people have elderly relatives or know people who are immunocompromised, I wouldn't be mixing with them if I've got a temperature, or cold or flu-like symptoms."