New Covid variant: Symptoms and effects of the Covid-XEC variant: What we know about the new variant of the coronavirus
Covid XEC symptoms, effects
Eric Topol, director of the Scipps Research Translational Institute in La Jolla, posted on X that the XEC variant is close to success and has a high potential for survival. Experts predicted last month that the variant will become dominant within weeks or months and spread rapidly. KS 1.1 is part of the FliRt variant, which has mutations in the building block molecules, including replacing phenylalanine (F) with leucine (L) and arginine (R) with threonine (T). The virus’s spike protein, which it uses to attach to human cells, has changes. KP 3.3 is part of the FLuQE variant. The amino acid glutamine (Q) is attenuated to glutamic acid (E). This helps the virus attach to human cells, according to a report in the Times of India.
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The symptoms of XEC are similar to those of earlier variants of Omicron and include fever, sore throat, loss of smell, cough, loss of appetite and body aches. According to health experts, symptoms such as shortness of breath, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, congestion, runny nose, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea may also occur. The FLiRT variant, which belongs to the Omicron lineage, can cause mild synonyms. The symptoms of the FLiRT variant are similar to the symptoms of JN.1. Internal medicine specialist at CK Birla Hospital in Gurugram, Dr Tushar Tayal, explained that the XEC Covid-19 strain first emerged in Berlin in late June and is now spreading in Europe, North America and Asia. It is a hybrid of KS.1.1 and KP.3.3.
Covid XEC vaccination
The new variant belongs to the omicron lineage and experts advise booster shots and vaccines to avoid severe disease and hospitalization. According to Dr. Tushar Tayal, XEC is more transmissible than recent Covid variants, but vaccines provide good protection against it. He also added that as per the CDC recommendation, everyone aged 6 months to middle age, whether previously vaccinated or not, should get a Covid-19 vaccine booster in 2024-25 to get rid of the virus.Also read: National Voter Registration Day 2024: What does it mean for the 2024 US election?
Dr Rastogi said recent data shows that vaccines play an effective role against the new XEC variant. XEC is a sub-lineage of omicron with some unique mutations. Hence, vaccines can act as a shield against severe disease, hospitalization and death, TOI reported.
Frequently asked questions:
Q1. What are the symptoms of the XEC variant?
A1. Symptoms of XEC are similar to those of earlier variants of Omicron and include fever, sore throat, loss of smell, cough, loss of appetite and body aches. According to health experts, symptoms such as shortness of breath, muscle aches, headache, sore throat, congestion, runny nose, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea may also occur. Q2. What do experts recommend?
A2. Experts recommend vaccinations and booster vaccinations as a protective shield against serious diseases.
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