Covid XE Variant

COVID-19 symptoms vary in severity from person to person, based on their vaccination status and prior infection resistance. Symptoms frequently change for some people, while the changes can be quite severe for others.

Keep an eye out for some of these signs and symptoms:

·      Sore throat

·      Cough

·      Fever

·      Cold

·      Itchy throat

·      Itchy skin and discoloration

·      Difficulty in breathing

·      Digestive issues

In case of severe illness, you may experience these symptoms as a result:

·      Nerve damage

·      Severe heart problems

·      Palpitations

World Health Organization's expert committee concluded that getting vaccinated against the virus could significantly lower the risk of serious disease and mortality caused by this variant’s spread. The ideal method to prevent the introduction of novel variations and recombinants is to ensure that as many people as possible are vaccinated, reducing the pool of susceptible hosts in which these events might occur.

It is, therefore, important to follow preventive measures and not solely rely on the vaccine’s effects for protection or immunity. Here is how you can continue to stay protected against the virus:

·      Avoid going to overcrowded events and places 

·      Continue to wear a mask in public places and maintain social distancing

·      Consider getting a booster dose 

While preventive measures go a long way to ensure you and your loved ones stay protected, Niva Bupa Corona Kavach Family Floater health insurance policy offers assurance of the best medical care if affected by the COVID-19 virus.

The SARS-CoV-2 virus has changed in other ways, as new variations have emerged, followed by subvariants or other lineages. Not only have we witnessed spontaneous alterations in the genetic sequence, but we have also seen so-called recombinants in recent years.

A recombinant virus is one in which similar viruses interchange genetic material to produce offspring that have genetic traits from both parents. This happens when viruses from two distinct strains (or variations or sub-variations) infect the same cell.

Since the viruses’ genetic material is combined and packed together to create a new recombinant virus, features of the recombinant virus can be determined by whatever bits of the parent viruses’ genetic material make it into the new form, similar to human offspring.

As mentioned earlier, BA.1 and BA.2 have recombined to form the XE variant. Many other BA.1 and BA.2 recombinants exist, including XG in Denmark, XQ in the United Kingdom, XK in Belgium, and XJ in Finland. The Coronavirus XE variant has shown evidence of community spread within England and has been discovered in places like China, India, and Thailand. Based on the growth rate observed so far, XE seems to be more contagious than BA.2 but is not a cause for added concern than any other variants so far.

BA.2 is more contagious and prevalent than BA.1, which is the initial strain of the virus. The XE variety is a recombinant, meaning it has all of the mutations present in BA. Recombination is widespread among coronaviruses and is considered an expected mutational event, as viewed by the World Health Organization. This isn’t to say that the XE variant is more severe. However, people are advised to follow the same preventive measures as earlier and take utmost precautions for their health and safety.

According to the World Health Organization, the XE strain was first discovered in the United Kingdom on January 19, 2022. Ever since over 600 XE samples have been found in various nations. According to the WHO, the latest mutant may be more transmissible than the previous ones.

Early estimations by WHO experts imply that XE is 10% more contagious than BA.2. However, the World Health Organization has stated that this conclusion is yet to be confirmed; and has also stated: “XE belongs to the Omicron variant until significant differences in transmission and disease characteristics, including severity, may be reported”.

While further findings are underway, it is recommended that we remain cautious of our surroundings and health. The emergence of any new variant must not cause panic but instead strengthen our fight against COVID-19.