All articles tagged with #covid variants
An 80-year-old woman who has received all COVID vaccines, including the latest in August, is considering whether to get the updated 2025-26 vaccine to better protect against circulating variants. Dr. Roach advises that she has some protection from her recent vaccine but recommends the new vaccine if she wants enhanced protection, especially given her age and risk factors. The decision can be made now or in a few months depending on community virus levels.
COVID-19 cases are rising again in the US, especially in Texas, California, Oregon, Nevada, and New Mexico, driven by new variants Stratus and Nimbus. Despite lower overall rates compared to previous peaks, the surge highlights the importance of precautions like testing, masking, and vaccination, particularly in high-risk regions. The situation underscores ongoing challenges in tracking and managing COVID-19, with recommendations for individuals to stay vigilant and protect themselves and others.
New COVID variants Nimbus and Stratos are more contagious but not more dangerous, yet public indifference and low vaccination rates in Israel pose a significant health risk, especially for vulnerable populations. Experts emphasize the importance of annual vaccination for high-risk groups and continued vigilance to prevent severe cases and hospitalizations.
COVID cases are rising again this summer in the US, with symptoms similar to previous years such as fatigue, sore throat, and congestion, often caused by new variants Nimbus and Stratus. Experts emphasize the importance of testing, vaccination, and preventive measures like mask-wearing to reduce risks, especially for high-risk groups, and warn that COVID can be more dangerous than a common cold.
Some COVID-infected individuals are reporting a severe sore throat called 'razor blade throat,' but experts say this is not a new or unique symptom and does not indicate a more dangerous variant. Common COVID symptoms remain consistent, and preventive measures like vaccination, masking, and good hygiene are recommended to reduce risk. If symptoms appear, testing and consulting a healthcare provider are advised, especially for high-risk groups.
Some COVID patients report a severe sore throat called 'razor blade throat,' but experts say it's not a new or unique symptom and doesn't indicate a more dangerous variant. Common COVID symptoms remain consistent, and preventive measures like vaccination, masking, and good hygiene are recommended to reduce risk. If symptoms appear, testing and consulting a healthcare provider are advised, especially for high-risk groups.
A study has found that over half of long Covid patients experience "silent" organ damage, even if they were not severely affected initially, raising concerns about long-term health impacts. The research highlights the need for further investigation into the links between symptoms, organ damage, and overall function. Despite a decrease in Covid cases, experts warn of potential future waves due to the virus's ongoing evolution. Vaccination has been crucial in reducing Covid-related deaths, but efforts to combat vaccine hesitancy and ensure widespread vaccination continue.
As new Covid variants such as JN.1 and HV.1 emerge, experts have noted that all variants exhibit similar symptoms. One symptom to watch out for is a rash, which can appear as large red patches with smaller red or darker patches after a few days, resembling hives. The rash is not itchy and can occur on the chest, stomach, or back. While a Covid rash is considered a less common symptom, it is important to be aware of its presence as it could indicate a Covid infection.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has not released a new mask mandate for 2023, despite the emergence of new COVID variants such as Eris and BA.2.86. While Eris is similar to the Omicron variant, BA.2.86 is notable for having a differentiating spike protein. However, there have only been three reported cases of BA.2.86 in the United States, and it is still unclear how severe or transmissible it may be. COVID cases are on the rise, but the CDC has not reinstated mask mandates. Wearing masks in crowded settings is recommended, especially for high-risk individuals, but it would likely be selective and not at the level of previous pandemic peaks. Monitoring personal risk, staying updated on vaccinations, and being aware of symptoms are advised.
Professor Francois Balloux, a computational systems biology expert, provides insights on two COVID variants. The EG.5 / EG.5.1 variant is a descendant of XBB.1.9.2 and carries only one additional mutation in the spike protein. The BA.2.86 variant, on the other hand, is of greater interest as it is highly derived and branches deep in the Omicron phylogeny. It is believed to have acquired its mutations during a long-term infection in an immunocompromised person and has been circulating for months. While its transmissibility and virulence are unknown, it is not expected to behave differently from current Omicron strains. However, a large wave of infection by BA.2.86 or any future comparable variant would still be concerning, although the majority of the population has been vaccinated or infected, providing some level of immune memory.
Two new COVID variants, EG.5 (Eris) and BA.2.86 (BA.X), both sub-variants of Omicron, are causing an increase in COVID cases. Eris accounts for 17% of cases in the US and is spreading rapidly in the UK, while BA.X has been added to the WHO's monitoring list. The symptoms of these variants are similar to previous strains, including fever, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, loss of taste or smell, sore throat, and gastrointestinal symptoms. The public health risk of EG.5 is considered low, while more information is needed on BA.2.86 due to its numerous mutations.