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Jul 12, 2021 · Other variants trigger more traditional COVID-19 symptoms that resemble the flu, such as the loss of smell, fever, shortness of breath, or persistent cough. However, the Delta variant appears to present more like the common cold, causing upper respiratory symptoms such as a sore throat or runny nose. “Anytime a virus mutates, it can cause ...
- Carla Delgado
Jun 2, 2023 · Delta variant symptoms have caused international concern as this highly transmissible strain of COVID-19 spread rapidly and caused a surge in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations. This article will provide you with an overview of the Delta variant and its possible symptoms, the diagnosis of Delta, and the possible treatment options.
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Jul 8, 2021 · Dr. Rhoads said researchers still have a lot to learn about the Delta variant. However, they do know that it is quickly spreading among unvaccinated individuals and can be quite severe for older adults. Symptoms for the Delta variant also appear to be different. People tend to experience headaches, sore throat and a runny nose, much like you ...
- Overview
- How infectious is the delta variant?
- Are infection symptoms different?
- What are the risks going forward?
The variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus called delta continues to spread rapidly across many parts of the world. What do we know about this variant so far?
All data and statistics are based on publicly available data at the time of publication. Some information may be out of date. Visit our coronavirus hub for the most recent information on COVID-19.
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The delta variant of SARS-CoV-2 — scientifically known as the B.1.617.2 lineage — was first identified by scientists in December 2020 in India.
In April 2021, the delta variant became the most commonly spread variant that caused new COVID-19 cases in India. Since then, this variant has been reported in 80 countries, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
Recently, there have been concerns — particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States — that the delta variant could give rise to another COVID-19 wave, thus setting back national and international efforts to ease pandemic restrictions.
Based on the data from the U.K., the delta variant is about 60% more transmissible than the alpha variant, which was previously called B.1.1.7. Alpha, in turn, is more transmissible than the strain previously dominant in the country.
Prof. Wendy Barclay, professor of virology and head of the Department of Infectious Disease at Imperial College London in the U.K., explained that this variant is more transmissible than previous ones because of some key mutations in the spike protein, which allows the virus to penetrate and infect healthy cells.
“The delta variant has got two important mutations in its spike protein, or sets of mutations,” she noted. “One is at the furin cleavage site, which we think is quite important for the fitness of the virus in the airway.”
“The virus that emerged in Wuhan was suboptimal in that respect, so it transmitted but perhaps not as well as it might. The alpha variant took one step towards improving that with a certain mutation, and the delta variant has built on that and taken a second step now, a bigger step, towards improving that feature,” said Prof. Barclay.
Data collected by U.K. scientists also indicate that the primary symptoms of infection with the delta variant of SARS-CoV-2 are different compared with those experienced upon infection with previous variants.
Thus, data from the ZOE Covid Symptom Study — whose scientific analysis is conducted by experts from King’s College London — suggest that the main symptoms of infection with the delta variant are headaches, a sore throat, and a runny nose.
This is a change from official information on COVID-19 symptoms — such as that provided by the U.K.’s National Health Service (NHS) — that lists fever, continuous cough, and loss of smell or taste as the main symptoms of the condition.
Prof. Tim Spector, co-founder of ZOE, warns that SARS-CoV-2 infections are “acting differently now, […] more like a bad cold,” which may tempt people to dismiss the symptoms.
Recently, a group of scientists called for the reintroduction of stricter safety measures in schools in the U.K. to curb the spread of the delta variant.
Given the data on delta’s increased transmissibility, some scientists have suggested that this may increase the risk of a further COVID-19 wave.
Modeling projections from Imperial College London indicate that the delta variant may significantly increase the risk of hospitalizations with COVID-19, exposing the U.K. to the possibility of a third wave, similar to the one the country experienced last winter.
Following concerning reports of the spread of this variant, the British government has already delayed the end of the pandemic restrictions in the country by 4 weeks.
Dr. Gottlieb also warned that the U.S. might experience further COVID-19 outbreaks because of this highly transmissible variant.
“I think in parts of the country where you have less vaccination, particularly in parts of the South, where you have some cities where vaccination rates are low, there’s a risk that you could see outbreaks with this new variant,” he suggested.
Jul 2, 2021 · Research suggests that delta, officially known as B.1.617.2, is the most contagious of all the known variants to date, including the highly transmissible alpha variant that was first identified in ...
- 4 min
- Denise Chow
Jul 1, 2021 · Data from the UK, where the Delta variant is dominant, suggest many people with COVID-19 are experiencing cold-like symptoms such as a runny nose and a sore throat.
Jul 14, 2021 · It’s not clear yet. In Britain, reports have emerged that Delta may cause different symptoms than other variants do. Headaches, a sore throat and a runny nose are now among the most frequently ...
