As the seasons shift, peoples are beginning to encounter cold or flu-like symptoms. Four key indicators suggest you could be battling the latest Covid variant rather than typical seasonal ailments.
Medical professionals have sounded the alarm regarding the looming threat of a “tripledemic,” which emerges when three distinct viruses circulate concurrently. They are urging the public to seek vaccination as infection rates climb during our progression into the chillier months.
Across the UK, there has been a dramatic increase in confirmed Covid infections, with statistics showing that within just one week, rates have jumped from 7.6 per cent to 8.4 per cent. The emerging Covid strain, dubbed Stratus, has been proliferating at an alarming pace and encompasses two variants: XFG and XFG.3.
According to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), the XFG.3 variant accounted for approximately 40 per cent of Covid infections in the UK as of June, reports the Mirror.
Generally, Covid manifestations mirror those of standard respiratory conditions like influenza, encompassing fever, coughing, sneezing or nasal discharge. Manifestations can vary from mild to serious, depending upon the person, making it simple to mistake Covid for an ordinary cold.
Nevertheless, the most prevalent early indicator of the new Stratus strain is a scratchy or gravelly voice. This particular symptom could signal that you’re dealing with Covid instead of flu or a cold.
Healthcare specialists have also identified further Stratus manifestations, encompassing congested nasal passages, painful throats, gastrointestinal problems and severe fatigue.
Dr Gareth Nye said: “In most ways, it’s almost identical. However, people with this version tend to get very sore throats and a hoarse voice, compared with the other more general symptoms like cough, temperature and aches.”
Flu cases have reportedly surged from 1.1 per cent to 1.3 per cent, whilst respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a widespread trigger of coughs and colds, is also expected to climb.
RSV symptoms may appear mild, yet the condition can progress to more severe infections, including pneumonia or bronchiolitis, according to NHS guidance.
The four key warning signs that could signal Covid, flu or RSV include:
- having a high temperature
- a cough
- feeling tired
- aching muscles and joints
Given the circulation of these three viruses, medical professionals are urging eligible individuals to receive their vaccinations.
“While this is to be expected at this time of year, now is the time for people to come forward for their winter vaccines if they’re eligible, before we start to see more of these viruses in circulation in the winter months,” Dr Jamie Lopez Bernal, from the UKHSA, told The Sun.
Dr Jamie continued: “Vaccination offers the best protection against flu, Covid-19 and RSV which is why it’s vital that eligible groups get vaccinated.”
Further vaccination information is available on the NHS website here.
For those questioning whether they’re battling flu, a cold or the latest Covid variant, these are the telltale signs to monitor.
Bear in mind that symptoms differ between individuals.
Covid symptoms
These represent the official Covid symptoms that individuals should watch for, according to NHS guidelines:
- a sudden high temperature
- an aching body
- feeling tired or exhausted
- a dry cough
- a sore throat
- a headache
- difficulty sleeping
- loss of appetite
- diarrhoea or tummy pain
Flu symptoms
According to the NHS, these symptoms can appear “very quickly” and may include:
- a high temperature or shivering (chills) – a high temperature means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)
- a new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours
- a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste
- shortness of breath
- feeling tired or exhausted
- an aching body
- a headache
- a sore throat
- a blocked or runny nose
- loss of appetite
- diarrhoea
- feeling sick or being sick
RSV infection symptoms
The NHS explains that most individuals will experience symptoms similar to a common cold with an RSV infection, which usually begin within a few days of becoming infected. The NHS lists the following as potential symptoms:
- a runny or blocked nose
- a cough
- sneezing
- tiredness
- a high temperature – signs include your back or chest feeling hotter than usual, sweatiness and shivering (chills)
