Symptoms of new coronavirus variant, experts say

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The fact that COVID-19 has become a part of our lives in recent years may have given you at least some idea of ​​the symptoms of the virus to look out for. However, the virus has evolved over time, and so have its manifestations.

The EG.5 variant known as “Eris” currently accounts for more than 17% of COVID-19 cases in the United States, a number that is expected to continue to rise. This naturally raises questions about how new symptoms of the variant will manifest in 2023.

Meanwhile, COVID-19 hasn’t been the center of attention for many over the past few months. What should you do if you test positive these days? Medical experts are here to clear up all these uncertainties.

What is the EG.5 variant, also known as “Eris”?

EG.5, nicknamed “Eris,” is a descendant of the COVID-19 Omicron variant, explained Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious disease expert and professor at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. “Think of Omicron as the ‘grandfather’ of Eris,” he said. “Eris is as highly contagious as Omicron, but it doesn’t cause more severe disease. That’s very, very good.”

The World Health Organization (WHO) ruled on the rise of Eris, stating in a preliminary risk assessment that “the risk to public health from EG.5 is assessed globally to be low”.

Pirola, another new variant

The new virus, known informally by the scientific community as “Pirola” on social networks, has the technical name BA.2.86, which identifies it as another descendant of the Omicron variant. The researchers noticed that this new variant had more than 35 additional mutations compared to the XBB 1.5 strain.

Pirola was first detected on July 24, more than a month after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved XBB 1.5 as the only variant to be included in the next round of boosters expected to be approved next month.

In terms of genetic differences, this new variant represents an even more significant leap, as the number of genetic differences in XBB 1.5 is similar to that observed between the original Omicron variant and earlier variants such as Delta. Scientists are working to better understand the effects and characteristics of this new variant, and how it might affect the current pandemic situation.

What are the symptoms of COVID-19 in 2023?

So far, Eris “appears to be the same symptomatically,” said Dr. Thomas Russo, a professor and director of infectious diseases at the University at Buffalo in New York. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), these may include:

• fever or chills
• cough
• shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• fatigue
• muscle or body pain
• Headache
• new loss of taste or smell
• sore throat
• stuffy or runny nose
• nausea or vomiting
• diarrhea

“Most people get an upper respiratory infection, but some people get a more serious illness, a lower respiratory infection,” Dr. Russo said. “Some people develop symptoms that are not related to the respiratory tract, such as diarrhoea.”

Conjunctivitis, also known as pink eye, can also be a symptom, says Dr. Schaffner.

Overall, Dr. Russo said, Eris “is similar in symptoms to other Omicron variants.” One thing that is unlikely to happen to Eris, however, is the loss of taste and smell, Dr Russo said.

Do you need a new booster shot?

Back in June, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that it would require Covid-19 vaccine makers to focus on using a single ingredient in vaccines against the XBB.1.5 variant, a descendant of Omicron.

“The new booster will be a great addition to Eris,” Dr Russo said. “Only two amino acids were different in the enhanced proteins.”

There is currently a COVID-19 booster based on a previous formulation. But if you’re not in the high-risk category for serious complications from COVID-19, Dr. Russo recommends waiting until September, when the new vaccine is expected to be available.

If your situation falls into the high-risk category for serious complications from COVID-19, Dr. Russo offers some advice to consider. “If you’re going to be cautious and not going to an event where you can’t wear a mask, I suggest you wait and buy the new booster when it becomes available,” he explained. For mask-wearing activities, I’d go with the old hybrid booster. In this case, it’s best to protect yourself with weakened immunity if you’re at high risk.”

Currently, there are no clear guidelines on who should receive the new booster shot and when. However, Dr. Schaffner assured that the recommendations will be published soon. His advice was to follow the guidelines, and he mentioned that I personally would wholeheartedly support the idea of ​​getting boosters.

Although Eris causes mild symptoms, Dr. Schaffner emphasized that the term “mild” has a different meaning in the medical community than it does in the general population. “‘Mild’ means you don’t need hospitalization,” he clarified. “If you get Eris, you’re likely to feel unwell for at least two to three days. Not everyone who gets Eris finds it a mild experience. The symptoms can be bothersome and make you very uncomfortable. “

Dr. Schaffner noted that the new booster not only provides protection in the fall, but also helps prevent severe disease in the winter. “At this point we expect a significant increase in COVID-19 cases,” he stressed.

What to do if you test positive for COVID-19

If you receive a positive COVID-19 test result, Dr. Russo recommends that you contact your primary care physician. According to their recommendations, antiviral treatment could play a crucial role in shortening the course of the disease and reducing the risk of serious complications associated with COVID-19, including long-term persistence of symptoms.

Notably, antiviral drugs are most effective when given early in the disease. Therefore, it is imperative to get tested and contact a doctor immediately if symptoms develop.

According to CDC guidelines, quarantine is recommended for at least five days after the first symptoms of the virus appear. If you need to be in contact with other people during this time, it is recommended to use a high-quality mask. Quarantine can end after the fifth day or when the fever subsides without medication.

Dr Schaffner acknowledged that “not everyone is following those guidelines” when it comes to isolating. He strongly warned against resuming normal activities following a diagnosis, noting that it was not an approved practice. If you test positive for COVID-19, please emphasize the importance of staying home, not only to protect your own health, but also to prevent spreading the virus to others.