Dr Nighat discusses symptoms of new Covid strain
In recent weeks a number of new Covid variants have emerged, the more dominant strains being Eris, Pirola, HV.1 and JN.1.
While experts better understand these new strains, Dr Bruno Silvester Lopes, Lecturer in Microbiology, Teesside University, said it’s important to note all variants show similar symptoms.
One symptom to look out for, indapamide insuffisance renale listed by the World Health Organisation (WHO), is a rash.
Dr Lopes advised what to look out for in a Covid rash: “A Covid rash has large red patches with smaller red or darker patches after a few days.”
The professor said the rash can occur on the chest, stomach or back and is not itchy. He added: “It can look similar to hives.”
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A hives rash can be raised bumps or patches in many shapes and sizes, according to the NHS.
But a Covid rash is considered a less common symptom of Covid.
The HV.1 and JN.1 strains are the latest Covid variants under scrutiny. The JN.1 strain is derived from a sub-variant of Omicron, which was the dominant variant in 2022.
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It was first identified in Luxembourg, and has now been seen in the UK, across Europe and the US.
Dr Lopes previously told Express.co.uk: “The JN.1 variant has specific mutations which helps it to evade the human immune response.”
The HV.1 strain has evolved from EG.5, also known as the Eris variant, which is closely related with XBB.1.5 – a sub-variant of Omicron. HV.1 is predominantly being found in the US at the moment.
Dr Lopes said: “This variant does not seem to produce more severe disease than other circulating variants, and doesn’t seem to evade immunity provided by COVID-19 vaccines.”
Symptoms of the new variants largely mirror those seen throughout the pandemic. But Dr Chris Papadopoulos, Principal Lecturer in Public Health at the University of Bedfordshire, has recommended looking out for some specific signs.
HV.1
- Fever
- Coughing
- Tiredness
- Nasal congestion
- Runny nose
JN.1
- Diarrhoea
- Headaches
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