Covid warning as new variant causes different symptoms including unusual sign
Doctors have issued a warning about the new coronavirus strain, which has been flagged in the UK, US and Australia.
Health officials have issued a warning about a new strain of coronavirus, which presents with unusual symptoms, following a surge in cases.
In Ireland, individuals are being advised to self-isolate for two days if they show any signs of Covid, as the new variant is also causing gastrointestinal problems. The variant, known as NB.1.8. 1, has already been identified in the UK, US and Australia.
Experts emphasised that while previous strains have been associated with flu-like symptoms, NB.1.8.1 can cause gastrointestinal issues such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and heartburn. Patients who experience bloating, constipation and abdominal pain could also find themselves diagnosed with Covid-19, reports the Mirror.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has added the variant to its official watch list and suggested that it is more transmissible than other strains.
According to WHO, the strain first appeared in January and by late April it was responsible for around 10.7 percent of global infections, up from just 2.5 percent a month earlier.
According to data from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC), the proportion of sequenced Covid samples linked to NB. 1.8.1 jumped from 3.7 percent to 27.3 percent in the last five weeks.
The variant has been detected in coveted holiday destinations such as Thailand, Egypt and the Maldives, achieving predominance in regions of Asia, notably China and Hong Kong.
Dr Lara Herrero, Associate Professor and Virology Research Leader at Griffith University, clarified: "Common symptoms [of NB.1.8.1] include sore throat, fatigue, fever, mild cough, muscle aches and nasal congestion.
"Gastrointestinal symptoms may also occur in some cases."
The covid pandemic resulted in nearly 25 million cases in the UK, and more than 200,000 deaths have been associated with the virus.
Look out for the following Covid symptoms
Fever (high temperature - 38C or above) - including having chills
Dry cough
Fatigue (tiredness)
Loss or change to your sense of smell or taste – this could mean they're completely gone or just different to normal
Nasal congestion (runny or blocked nose)
Conjunctivitis (also known as red eye or pink eye)
Sore throat
Headache
Muscle or joint pain (aches and pains)
Different types of skin rash
Nausea or vomiting
Diarrhoea
Chills
Dizziness
Shortness of breath or breathing difficulties
Loss of appetite
Confusion
Pain or pressure in the chest
What to do if you have Covid
While there are no longer any self-isolation mandates in the UK, the NHS recommends avoiding contact with others if you experience symptoms. It says you should try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people if you or your child has symptoms and either:
Have a high temperature
Do not feel well enough to go to work, school, childcare, or do your normal activities
You can go back to your normal activities when you feel better or do not have a high temperature. But if you test positive, you should:
Try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people for three days after the day the test was taken if you or your child is under 18 years old – children and young people tend to be infectious for less time than adults
Try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people for five days after the day you took your test if you are 18 years old or over
Avoid meeting people who are more likely to get seriously ill from infections, such as people with a weakened immune system, for 10 days after the day you took your test
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