Covid cases are soaring again, and here are the symptoms to look out for.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the JN.1 variant spread rapidly in December 2023 and became the most common strain of the virus in the United States. JN.1 cases are also gradually increasing in the UK, China and India.
Health authorities are not currently sure whether JN.1 infection produces symptoms that are different from other variants. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that "the type of symptoms, as well as the severity of infection, often depends more on an individual's immunity and general health than on the variant causing the infection." ”
However, there is considerable evidence that people have reported slightly different symptoms in Covid cases this quarter.
According to the latest data from the Office for National Statistics in December 2023, the most commonly reported COVID symptoms among respondents include:
Many of these symptoms, such as a runny nose and cough, have been reported to have Covid since 2020. Although the list does contain some new symptoms, such as insomnia and anxiety.
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It's worth noting that what was once thought to be a significant symptom of Covid – loss of taste and smell – is now reported in only 2 to 3% of people infected in the UK.
The sudden rise of JN.1 suggests that it is either more contagious or better at evading our immune system. However, the good news is that there is currently no evidence that it is more aggressive than other popular variants.
"There is currently no evidence that JN.1 poses a higher risk to public health relative to currently circulating variants," the CDC states on its website. ”
The broader guidance for COVID remains largely the same: be vigilant when you go out, and if you test positive, it's best to isolate at home from others for at least five days. "It's important to know that existing vaccines, tests, and treatments are still effective for JN.1, so this variant does not affect CDC recommendations," the CDC said. ”
All "explanatory" articles are fact-checked at the time of publication. Text, images, and links may be edited, removed, or added at a later date to keep the information up to date.
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The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek out a qualified health care provider for questions you may have about your medical condition.