Many of us know a friend or family member who has come down with nasty cold-like symptoms over the last few weeks, and talk about the resurgence of Covid has started circulating.
A fresh Covid-19 wave is hitting Ireland this summer amid an increase in travel and big social events such as festivals which often result in crowded settings where the virus can spread more easily.
According to the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC), there has been a surge in Covid-19 cases over recent weeks, with 1,042 cases reported at the end of June alongside 486 hospitalisations. New variants such as FLiRT have started to spread across Ireland this summer – but what does this mean and how worried should we be?
What are the new Covid variants and how are they spreading?
Summertime is packed with opportunities to socialise and gather with hordes of people at crowded places such as festivals, and these events provide the perfect environment for viruses to spread.
Some health experts have also suggested that two new Covid variants, FLiRT and LB.1, might be able evade immunity, which is why people who have been vaccinated are still getting ill.
The FLiRT variant has specific changes in its spike protein that might make it spread more easily and dodge immunity from past infections or vaccines. Similarly, the LB.1 variant has mutations that help it spread and possibly weaken the protection we get from previous immunity, making these variants different from earlier versions of the virus.
Experts have warned that new variants develop over time and when many people get infected by it, this means the virus has more chances to mutate. In addition to this, our immune responses from past infections or vaccines can push the virus to evolve.
Despite some fears that the variants may be more transmissible and better at escaping prior immunity than previous waves, there is little evidence that they are more severe than their predecessors.
What are the symptoms of the new Covid FLiRT variant?
If you have been suffering with a stubborn cough or sore throat recently that just won’t go away, you may have caught one of these new strains of Covid.
While the name of the new Covid variant might have changed, the core symptoms to look out for have remained pretty much the same – fever, persistent coughs, sore throats, upset stomach and loss or change of taste and smell.
Symptoms of the FLiRT covid variant include:
- A high temperature
- A new, continuous cough
- Changes to your sense of smell or taste
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue
- Aching body
- Headache
- Runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
What are the treatment options?
Those with mild cases of Covid will usually recover at home without the need for medical assistance.
However, health officials recommend that those who experience more severe symptoms like breathing issues, chest pain, confusion, inability to wake or stay awake, and pale, grey or blue-coloured skin, lips, or nail beds should seek immediate medical attention.
How long does the new FLiRT Covid variant last for?
The variant will generally last the same length as previous Covid variants, which for most is a few weeks. Doctors generally recommend self-isolating and using over-the-counter treatments if you are experiencing these symptoms.
While most people feel fully recover within a few weeks, it can take longer for others to recover. For some people, it can be a more serious illness and their symptoms can last longer.
Health experts are urging those with Covid-19 symptoms to take it easy and treat themselves at home. Doctors generally recommend self-isolating and using over-the-counter treatments if you think you may have Covid.
How can I prevent my family from getting the new variants?
To prevent the spread of Covid-19, it is crucial to stay up to date with vaccinations and boosters.
To aid in recovery and to prevent the spread of the virus, it is recommended that people practice the good hygiene that was enforced during Covid lockdowns – e.g. washing your hands and wearing a face mask if needed – and to self-isolate.
Regular testing and isolating if you develop any symptoms or test positive can also help control the spread of the virus.
Home tests should still be able to detect the FLiRT variants. However, keep in mind that these tests expire after a while—tests that have been sitting in your medicine cabinet for a year or two may be less effective or not efficient at all at picking up any Covid-19 variants if the expiration date has passed.