New COVID symptoms emerge as JN.1 variant cases spike
What's the story
The new JN.1 COVID-19 variant, responsible for a surge in US cases since September this year, is now detected and spreading in India.
The rise in cases raises concerns about its potential for faster transmission or immune evasion. Recently newer symptoms of the variant have been reported.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states there's no evidence to suggest it is more aggressive than other variants.
Details
Most common symptoms of JN.1 variant
Recent data from December 2023 by the UK's Office for National Statistics shows the most common COVID-19 symptoms are runny nose (31.1%), cough (22.9%), headache (20.1%), fatigue (19.6%), muscle pain (15.8%), and sore throat (13.2%).
However, two new symptoms have also been spotted: trouble sleeping (10.8%) and anxiety (10.5%).
Interestingly, the once-common loss of taste and smell is currently reported in only 2-3% of UK cases.
Depended on immunity
The severity depends on the immunity of the person
The CDC notes that "the types of symptoms and how severe they are usually depend more on a person's immunity and overall health rather than which variant causes the infection."
However, health authorities are still unsure whether JN.1 infections induce different symptoms from other versions.
"In general, symptoms of COVID-19 tend to be similar across variants," it says.
Extra
The aggressiveness of the variant is unclear, CDC
The unexpected increase in JN.1 indicates that it is either more contagious or more adept at eluding human defenses.
However, nothing at this time indicates that it is any more aggressive than other varieties that are currently out there.
"At this time, there is no evidence that JN.1 presents an increased risk to public health relative to other currently circulating variants," the CDC said on its website.
Facts
Recommendations for JN.1 variant
According to CDC, the general advice for COVID-19 stays the same: be cautious, isolate if positive, and follow recommendations.
Current vaccines, tests, and treatments remain effective against JN.1.
The NHC emphasizes the importance of hygiene habits like proper ventilation, hand washing, and social distancing, especially those in the vulnerable category including the elderly, people with severe chronic conditions, and pregnant women.