Dr Nighat discusses symptoms of new Covid strain
Two new Covid variants are currently circulating in the US and UK – HV.1 and JN.1.
With new and different Covid variants currently in circulation it may be useful to know the likelihood of getting reinfected.
Dr Bruno Silvester Lopes, a lecturer in microbiology at Teesside University with a research interest in pathogens, said evidence suggests people can get reinfected from anywhere between one to three months’ time.
This, he explained, is because our immunity from the previous infection can reduce over time.
But he added: “The chances are low but if you live in an area where cases are increasing then that will increase your chance.
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“Similarly if you have underlying health issues then too your chances of getting covid can increase.”
If you get reinfected, it’s likely to be a different strain, said Dr Lopes.
Symptoms may be milder but it depends on the variant. He said: “BA.1 Omicron variant shows milder symptoms compared to BA.2 Omicron variant.”
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The NHS lists the symptoms of Covid as:
- 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 three 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
But it’s important to note these symptoms are very similar to symptoms of other winter illnesses, like colds and flu.
In the UK, you are no longer required to do a lateral flow test if you have symptoms. Although the best way to find out if you have Covid is to test.
If you test positive for Covid, the advice is to stay at home and avoid contact with other people.
If you or your child are under 18, do this for three days after the day the test was taken. If you are 18 or over, do this for five days after the day you took your test.
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