New XEC Covid variant - what you need to know about symptoms and safety

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Health experts are sounding the alarm about a new Covid variant that's rapidly spreading across the globe, warning that it's "just getting started".

The XEC strain, a hybrid of the KS. 1.1 and KP.3.3 variants, was initially detected in Germany in June but has since been found in 15 countries spanning three continents. US experts, including Eric Topol, director of the Scripps Research Translational Institute in California, believe XEC could become the dominant strain, with Topol noting it is "just getting started now around the world and here."

Dr Elizabeth Hudson, regional chief of infectious diseases for Kaiser Permanente Southern California, highlighted that health authorities will keep a close watch on this variant over the next few weeks, reports the Mirror.

We break down everything you need to know about the XEC variant, from its symptoms to how you can stay safe.

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What are the symptoms of the XEC variant?

Symptoms of the XEC Covid variant mirror those of common respiratory illnesses like colds and flu. While most individuals recover within a few weeks, some may take longer, and there's a risk of more severe illness leading to hospitalisation.

The NHS lists the latest Covid-19 symptoms as follows:.

  • 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

Over the past few years, some Covid variants have proven to be more severe than others. To understand whether this is the case with XEC, though, we will need to wait a few more weeks or months so that health experts can establish how severe symptoms caused by this strain are.

How can you protect yourself?

To protect yourself from the latest Covid variant, you should take the same precautions you took with other variants, including keeping up to date with vaccines and booster shops. Vaccines may not fully prevent infection but they remain the most effective protection against severe illness, hospitalisation and death.

Wearing a face mask, particularly in crowded or indoor settings where ventilation is poor, could also help you be protected against the virus, especially if you're vulnerable or live with someone who is more vulnerable to severe illness. Where possible, improving indoor ventilation can help reduce the risk of infection.

Keeping physical distance from others and avoiding large gatherings is also recommended. Maintaining good hygiene habits, such as washing your hands thoroughly with soap and water, is key.

If you develop any symptoms or have been in touch with someone who is infected, you should isolate to prevent further spread of the virus.

What to do if you test positive.

The NHS has issued advice for those testing positive or exhibiting symptoms of Covid: get ample rest and stay hydrated. For symptom relief, paracetamol or ibuprofen may help.

If coughing persists, a teaspoon of honey can soothe, but its not for infants under one year. To ease breathlessness, the NHS suggests cooler, fresher air, an upright seated posture with shoulders relaxed and leaning forward slightly, while breathing in a controlled manner "in through your nose and out through your mouth, with your lips together like you're gently blowing out a candle."

Curious about the current numbers?

The UK's latest stats reflect a 4.3% uptick in Covid cases week-on-week. England reported 102 deaths linked to Covid up till August 30.

Within that same period, hospitals noted 1,465 Covid admissions. It's worth mentioning that the UK Health Security Agency has yet to provide detailed data concerning the specific XEC variant.