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May 13, 2024 · The version of the Covid-19 virus behind the latest spike in infections shares many of the same symptoms as earlier variants of Sars-CoV-2 : a sore throat, fatigue, headache and a cough....
May 3, 2024 · What are the symptoms of the newest COVID variants? It is still too early to tell whether the symptoms of KP.2 and other FLiRT variants are different from previous strains.
- Caroline Kee
Jan 16, 2024 · How Covid-19’s symptoms have changed with each new variant. Published Jan 16, 2024. BBC. With a new variant of the Sars-CoV-2 virus causing a spike in cases, it is demonstrating just how much the disease has changed since the pandemic began – and what happened to “Covid toe”.
- Overview
- What are the symptoms of the new COVID-19 variants?
- How do COVID-19 symptoms usually present?
- Understanding progression of COVID-19 symptoms is key
- COVID-19 symptoms include a broad range
- Should you be concerned about new COVID variants?
- Takeaway
•COVID-19 cases are rising as the JN.1 “Pirola” variant accounts for 40% of cases worldwide.
•Respiratory virus season is in full swing in the Northern Hemisphere with COVID-19, the flu, and RSV illnesses circulating widely.
•Understanding how COVID-19 symptoms present can help minimize spread and help you get the right treatment.
•Prior research has determined that COVID-19 symptoms often start in a certain order.
•While influenza typically begins with a cough, the first symptom of COVID-19 is generally fever, though symptoms may vary.
A winter surge COVID-19 cases may have you wondering whether it’s time to mask up again or get vaccinated or boosted to protect yourself from getting sick.
According to Dr. Monica Gandhi, MPH, professor of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, symptoms of new COVID variants are similar to symptoms associated with other SARS-CoV-2 strains.
“There is no evidence that the symptoms caused by [new variants] differ from the symptoms caused by other Omicron subvariants,” Gandhi said. “The symptoms seem to be the same as with other recent subvariants of Omicron.”
Like other subvariants, Pirola symptoms may include upper respiratory tract symptoms such as:
•fever
•coughing
•sneezing
A 2020 study from the University of Southern California (USC) shed light on how COVID-19 symptoms present, which may help individuals recognize whether their cough is just a cough or something worse. The researchers determined that COVID-19 symptoms often start in a certain order:
1.fever
2.cough
3.sore throat, muscle pain, or headache
4.nausea or vomiting
5.diarrhea
“It’s critically important to understand the progression of symptoms of people with the COVID-19 infection so you stop the spread of the disease — in effect, isolate and then initiate effective contact tracing,” Glatter said.
“This is quite relevant for a virus that is 2 to 3 times more transmissible than influenza, leading to outbreaks in clusters.”
He added that understanding the first symptoms not only helps patients seek testing more rapidly, but also to begin physically distancing themselves after the first symptoms begin.
“It also underscores the importance of wearing masks and hand hygiene upon learning of symptoms,” Glatter said.
In Glatter’s experience treating patients with COVID-19 in New York City, symptoms associated with the virus may be more varied than the USC study suggests.
“In general, while fever is usually the most commonly described initial symptom of COVID-19 infection, the reality of what I see on the front lines is more variable,” Glatter said. “In fact, some patients may present only with loss of taste or smell and otherwise feel well.”
Glatter added that he’s seen COVID-19 symptoms ranging from “COVID-toes” (chilblains) to reddish-blue discoloration of skin in response to acute inflammation, all in the absence of fever, cough, or other respiratory symptoms.
He said that other patients have also “presented with malaise, headache, and dizziness,” which in some ways resemble stroke symptoms but without fever, cough, or any evidence of upper respiratory symptoms.
“I have also seen patients present only with chest pain, devoid of any respiratory symptoms,” Glatter said. “The onset of nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea after onset of respiratory symptoms such as fever and cough may also suggest that a person may have COVID-19.”
According to Glatter, healthcare professionals need to be vigilant and keep an open mind when evaluating patients who may have symptoms associated with COVID-19 — particularly as new subvariants emerge.
If you’re wondering whether it’s time to mask up again, experts are not particularly concerned about the new variants, particularly for vaccinated individuals.
The updated COVID-19 boosters should continue to offer protection against severe illness from the new variants.
The WHO recommends COVID-19 booster shots for sensitive groups, particularly immunocompromised individuals, people with multiple comorbidities, and those who are older than 65.
“I am not very concerned about the new variant because COVID-19 is not an eradicable virus (it is found in too many animal reservoirs for one thing, with rapid evolution in animals such as deer) so we will always see new subvariants,” Gandhi said.
“However, we have high rates of population immunity in the United States at this time (up to 96.4% antibody positivity as of fall of 2022). Memory B cells — generated by the vaccines or as a result of a prior infection — have been shown to recognize the virus, including its variants. Specifically, if memory B cells see a variant, they are able to make antibodies adapted to the variant or subvariant,” she added.
Gandhi explained that both COVID-19 vaccines and natural infection trigger the production of T cells.
JN.1, nicknamed “Pirola,” is the dominant SARS-CoV-2 strain in the U.S. and globally. Symptoms of the JN.1 Pirola variant may present similarly to prior Omicron subvariants.
Understanding the difference between COVID-19 symptoms and flu or RSV symptoms could be helpful in minimizing spread and getting the right treatment.
A 2020 study compared symptoms from people who had the flu versus COVID-19 and found that COVID-19 symptoms occur in a particular order.
Experts with frontline experience emphasize that this progression isn’t always how the disease manifests, but it’s still a useful guide for healthcare professionals.
Sep 1, 2023 · No, the symptoms are the same, even with new COVID variants like Eris (EG.5) and omicron BA.2.86. You should look for the following COVID symptoms: fever or chills. cough. shortness of breath or difficulty breathing. fatigue. muscle or body ache. headache. new loss of taste or smell. sore throat. congestion or runny nose. diarrhea.
Nov 4, 2022 · New COVID variant symptoms. As of Nov. 12, three omicron subvariants are vying for the lead, according to the most recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Mar 1, 2024 · “The biggest change is that people are having milder symptoms overall,” said Dr. Amanda Casto, an acting assistant professor of allergy and infectious diseases at the University of Washington.
