Yahoo News All the latest Covid symptoms as new FLiRT variants hit UK
This is the latest full list of Covid symptoms as new FLiRT variants hit the UK. Covid cases are continuing to rise in the UK as the new highly-contagious FLiRT variants spread rapidly throughout the country.
It is feared new strains have already become dominant after a surge in the number of people testing positive and being hospitalised. Experts say they could be behind behind a sudden 21% rise in cases and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said there has been a sharp increase in Covid cases week on week.
Professor Christina Pagel, of University College London, has said: "I think we are the start of a Covid wave driven by the FLiRT variants which are quite likely to be at about 50 per cent of total infections now."
The spike could be caused by a mutation called FLiRT, as three new FLiRT strains, KP. 1.1, KP. 3 and KP. 2 now account for 40% of all cases in the UK. The figures were last updated at the end of April, meaning the strain could now be responsible for more than 50% of all cases and be dominant in the UK. The latest figures show a 21.2% week-on-week increase in Covid cases in England, 106 new deaths and a 73% increase in patients admitted to hospital with Covid.
The new mutations are also reported to account for a quarter of all cases in the USA - with concerns it is already widespread.
A spokesman for the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention said: "Viruses constantly change through mutation and sometimes these mutations result in a new variant of the virus. Some changes and mutations allow the virus to spread more easily or make it resistant to treatments or vaccines.
"As the virus spreads, it may change and become harder to stop."
The mutation behind these new variants developed from the JN. 1 strain, which was known as Pirola or Juno. The new mutations are referred to as FLiRT, representing the replacement of a previous mutation in the virus - F has been replaced with L, and R with T.
Recognising symptoms of Covid-19 can be tricky since they largely mirror those of commonplace illnesses like the flu. Most individuals will experience recovery within 12 weeks after their initial Covid-19 symptoms first appear.
However, some people might experience a serious form of the illness where the symptoms persist for significantly longer.
NHS symptoms of COVID-19
Covid-19 symptoms can include:
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 3 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
You may be able to look after yourself at home if you have COVID-19 or symptoms of COVID-19.
You can go back to your normal activities when you feel better or do not have a high temperature. If your child has mild symptoms such as a runny nose, sore throat or mild cough, and they feel well enough, they can go to school or childcare.
Those eligible for treatments for Covid-19 are urged to take a rapid lateral flow test upon experiencing symptoms.
What should you do if you test positive?
You are no longer required to do a Covid-19 rapid lateral flow test if you have symptoms. But if you or your child have tested positive for Covid-19:
try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people for 3 days after the day the test was taken if you or your child are under 18 years old – children and young people tend to be infectious to other people for less time than adults
try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people for 5 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 viruses, such as people with a weakened immune system, for 10 days after the day you took your test
