Two new variants of Covid are being passed around in the UK, according to officials. XFG, called Stratus by some, and NB.1.8.1, known as Nimbus, do not appear to pose any bigger threat than previous types of Covid or make people feel more ill. However, recent genetic changes to the virus may make infections more likely.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said: “It’s normal for viruses to mutate and change, and as more data becomes available on these variants, we’ll have a better understanding of how they interact with our immune systems and how to optimise our protection, as well as actions we can take to keep the most vulnerable safe and live our lives as normally as possible.”
Azeem Majeed, professor and head of the department of Primary Care & Public Health at Imperial College London and also a GP, told the Express that the Nimbus and Stratus variants of Covid usually cause a mild illness in most people as people have developed immunity over the years.
He said: “Typical symptoms include cough, fever, fatigue, headache, muscle aches, and loss of taste or smell. Other possible symptoms are hoarseness, runny nose, chills, and shortness of breath. Some people also describe a very sore throat, often likened to a ‘razor blade’ sensation.”
“Signs of more severe illness include confusion, a high or persistent fever, breathlessness, or low oxygen levels. The risk of severe illness is highest in older adults (those aged 75 years and over) and in people with underlying health conditions like chronic kidney disease or diabetes or who have a suppressed immune system because of their medical condition or the drugs they are taking.”
While for younger people it should be a mild infection, older people need to look out for temperature that doesn’t subside after a few days, breathlessness, feeling very tired and not being able to eat very much.
“If they feel problems like confusion, they should really seek advice very urgently,” he said.
Dr Azeem added there is a decline in the number of people getting vaccinated.
He said: “Even amongst the older people the vaccine rates have been dropping year by year and in the most last year for example, the uptake of vaccine was around 60% in people over 75, so below the ideal.”
Many people reportedly believe the vaccine doesn’t work against the new variants, which according to him is not the case.
He added: “Evidence shows the vaccines still work against all variants we have faced so far.”
The doctor recommended older people to get vaccinated twice a year, in spring and autumn. People over 75 can get a free vaccine against Covid on the NHS.
