The are certain symptoms of Covid-19 to look out for in relation to the XEC variant (Image: GETTY)Get daily celeb exclusives and behind the scenes house tours direct to your inboxMore Newsletters SubscribePlease enter a valid emailSomething went wrong, please try again later.More NewslettersWe use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. More infoThank you for subscribing!We have more newslettersShow me See OurPrivacy Notice See OurPrivacy Notice×Group 28 Get daily celeb exclusives and behind the scenes house tours direct to your inboxInvalid emailSomething went wrong, please try again later.Sign UpNo thanks, closeWe use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. More info×Group 28Thank you for subscribing!We have more newslettersShow MeNo thanks, closeSee our
Privacy NoticeDoctors have issued a warning about the new XEC variant of Covid-19, noting that symptoms seem to appear in a noticeably specific sequence. With the cold weather upon us, Brits are facing a triple threat as cases of this variant rise alongside low flu jab uptake and increasing respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections. Although these illnesses might seem similar at first glance, researchers from the University of Southern California have pinpointed the exact order in which Covid-19 symptoms manifest, potentially making it easier to distinguish between the new variant and other winter bugs, according to SurreyLive. The XEC strain, expected to become the UK’s most dominant, shares many characteristics with previous variants, being a mix of Omicron subvariants.
The XEC variant of Covid-19 is on the rise
(Image: Richard Baker / In Pictures via Getty Images)
The order of symptoms is as follows: Fever Cough Sore throat Muscle pain or headache Nausea or vomiting Diarrhoea Dr Monica Gandhi, MD, MPH, from the University of California, remarked: “The symptoms seem to be the same as with other recent subvariants of Omicron.” Latest stats reveal the XEC Covid strain is spreading throughout the UK, with hospital admissions for positive Covid-19 cases climbing to 4.5 per 100,000 people in the week to October 6, up from 3.7 the previous week – marking the fourth consecutive weekly increase, as reported by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). Sign up to OK!’s daily newsletter to get updates sent to your inbox for free
Symptoms can include muscle pain, headaches and fever
(Image: GETTY)
Dr Jamie Lopez Bernal, a consultant epidemiologist at UKHSA, has highlighted the persistent circulation of Covid-19 and a recent uptick in hospitalisations, stating: “Covid-19 is continuing to circulate, with a slight increase in hospitalisations over the past two weeks,” reports the Manchester Evening News. With winter on the horizon, he emphasises the importance of vaccinations against the season’s primary health threats, urging those eligible to get their jabs: “As winter approaches, we expect flu and RSV to increasingly circulate too, so if you’re eligible to get vaccinated against the three main winter threats – Covid-19, flu and RSV – now is the time to take them up and get winter strong.”
In the UK, cases of Covid have risen to 4.5 per 100,000 people
(Image: Getty)
Addressing concerns about new variants, he notes that the ‘XEC’ lineage accounts for a significant proportion of sequenced Covid cases: “We understand people may be concerned about new variants. Our surveillance shows that where Covid cases are sequenced, around one in 10 are the ‘XEC’ lineage.” Joseph Larsen, lead study author and USC Dornsife doctoral candidate, also comments on the benefits of understanding illness progression for medical treatment: “Knowing that each illness progresses differently means that doctors can identify sooner whether someone likely has COVID-19, or another illness, which can help them make better treatment decisions.”Story SavedYou can find this story in  My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.Follow OK! MagazineFacebookTwitterCommentMore OnHealth
