Latest news with #DrKaywaanKhan
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
'Highly Contagious' New Covid Stratus Strain Has Become Dominant In The UK – Here's Its Most Distinctive Symptom
A new strain of Covid called XFG and nicknamed the Stratus variant has been spreading rapidly, the World Health Organisation (WHO) says. They describe the strain as a 'variant under monitoring (VUM).' The variant seems to be spreading quite quickly, which is partly why it's 'under monitoring.' It has come to account for 22.7% of cases worldwide in the week 26 May-1 June, the WHO said – up roughly three times from 7.4% four weeks prior. Using a logistics model, variant XFG was 'estimated to have the highestrelative growth advantage than co-circulating variants BA.3.2, NB.1, NB.1.8, NB.1.8.1, LF.9, XFH and XEC.25.1.' Yes. It has now become the dominant strain in the UK, per UKHSA. But overall, Covid cases are down in the UK. The WHO says variant XFG or Stratus does not seem to cause more severe symptoms than any other strains of Covid. 'Current data do not indicate that this variant leads to more severe illness or deaths than other variants in circulation,' they write. Speaking to Comopolitan UK, however, Dr Kaywaan Khan, Harley Street GP and Founder of Hannah London Clinic, said: 'One of the most noticeable symptoms of the Stratus variant is hoarseness, which includes a scratchy or raspy voice.' The NHS shared that symptoms of Covid can also include: a high temperature or shivering a new, continuous cough – 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. As Dr Khan points out, testing is key. The strain has spread very quickly, but the WHO don't currently think it's more severe than other forms of Covid. 'Considering the available evidence, the additional public health risk posed by XFG is evaluated as low at the global level,' they wrote. Covid rates have been decreasing in the UK recently and are described as being 'at baseline levels' in the government's most recent reports. Still, like all Covid and flu cases, vulnerable people (older people, very young people, and those with compromised immune systems) are more likely to get very sick from the disease. The WHO says, 'Currently approved COVID-19 vaccines are expectedto remain effective to this variant against symptomatic and severe disease.' Like all new strains of Covid, Stratus has a different structure than former variants. That can sometimes mean existing vaccines aren't able to target new forms of the virus as effectively as they could with the kinds they're built for. But people vaccinated against Covid are still far more likely to avoid the worst outcomes should they catch the new strain. Taking a test if you suspect Covid, and then isolating and/or taking other precautions like washing your hands and communal surfaces often can help to limit its spread. 'If you test positive, Stratus is highly contagious, and it is advised to stay home and isolate to avoid spreading to others,' Dr Khan told Cosmopolitan UK. Stay home and avoid people as much as possible if you are sick, the NHS says. Covering your mouth and nose with a mask, avoiding crowded indoor spaces, and letting friends, family, coworkers, and doctors know about your illness before meeting them can also help. New Covid Variant Nimbus Symptom May Show Up When You Swallow, Doctor Says 7 Hay Fever Symptoms That Could Actually Be Signs Of Covid Don't Wait — These Covid Symptoms Mean It's Time to See a Doctor
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Highly infectious new Covid Stratus takes over UK with unique symptom
A new strain of Covid is rapidly spreading across the world and has been found in the UK - becoming dominant in weeks - with experts saying it is evading immunity. The Covid strain, formally known as XFG and nicknamed Stratus, is said to have one unique symptom that helps identify which variant you have. Stratus cases have boomed in just one month, thanks to its ability to infect people who have previously had Covid and those who had injections. Data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), shows Stratus has now become the dominant Covid strain in England. In May 10 per cent of cases were Stratus, by the middle of June that was 40 per cent. There are two variants of Stratus circulating - XFG and XFG.3. READ MORE: Mum who thought her bloating was menopause is later told she has weeks to live READ MORE: Hundreds more flights cancelled on Friday in air traffic control strike Dr Kaywaan Khan, Harley Street GP and Founder of Hannah London Clinic, told Cosmopolitan UK: 'Unlike other variants, Stratus has certain mutations in the spike protein which could help it evade antibodies developed from prior infections or vaccinations." Dr Khan said Stratus does not appear to people 'more ill' than previous strains. But he said there is one unique symptom, adding: "One of the most noticeable symptoms of the Stratus variant is hoarseness, which includes a scratchy or raspy voice." Dr Khan said in general, the symptoms of Stratus tend to be 'mild to moderate'. Dr Khan said: "If you test positive, Stratus is highly contagious, and it is advised to stay home and isolate to avoid spreading to others." Professor Lawrence Young, a virologist at Warwick University, told MailOnline: "The increased competitiveness of XFG and XFG.3 is likely due to new spike mutations which make these variants more able to evade the immune response. Given that immunity to Covid is waning in the population due to a decline in uptake of the spring booster jab and the reduction of Covid infections in recent months, more people will be susceptible to infection with XFG and XFG.3. "This could lead to a new wave of infection but it's difficult to predict the extent of this wave." The World Health Organisation has designated Stratis a 'variant under monitoring', meaning it is keeping a close eye on the spread of the strain. It accounts for 22 per cent of all cases around the world. The spread of Stratus follows quickly on the back of another strain - Nimbus - which was reported to give people a very sore throat. That now accounts for 17 per cent of all tested cases in the UK. Dr Michael Gregory, regional medical Director for NHS England said: "The variant looks to be spreading rapidly within communities, with top symptoms being a 'razor blade' sore throat and swollen neck glands."
