Since Omicron is the most prevalent variant worldwide, we need to be aware of the symptoms that this strain can produce.
The signs and symptoms of infection have drastically changed as a result of the Covid virus’s development. The traditional COVID symptoms, such as loss of taste and smell and shortness of breath, are no longer as prevalent. But nowadays, when the virus strikes, people frequently complain having a sore throat, sneezing, and gut-related sickness when they contract the infection.
People are concerned about the symptoms that could indicate they have COVID in light of the unexpected rise in Omicron BF.7 cases in China. The following are the common symptoms of Omicron BF.7.
- runny nose
- sore throat
- blocked nose
- sneezing
- headache
- cough without phlegm
- cough with phlegm
- hoarse voice
- muscle aches and pains
- an altered sense of smell
Nearly three years into the pandemic, scientists are still trying to figure out why some people get long COVID and why a small portion have lasting symptoms. Millions of people worldwide have had long COVID, reporting various symptoms including fatigue, lung problems, and brain fog and other neurological symptoms.
New subvariants of Omicron have emerged over time that are more adept in bypassing vaccination or past infection-induced immunity. BF.7 is no different.
BF.7 carries a particular mutation, R346T,exists in the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 (a protein on the surface of the virus that allows it to attach to and infect our cells).A particular mutation, R346T, exists in the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein in BF.7 (a protein on the surface of the virus that allows it to attach to and infect our cells). This mutation, which also occurs in the “parent” form of BF.7 i.e, BA.5, has been associated with improving the virus’ ability to evade neutralizing antibodies produced by vaccination or prior infection.
BF.7 has been detected in several other countries around the world including China ,India, U.S, the UK and several European countries such as Belgium, Germany, France and Denmark.Despite the immune-evasive traits of BF.7 and alarming indications of its spread in China, the variant appears to be holding constant elsewhere. For instance, it was estimated to have contributed to 5.7% of infections in the US up until December 10, down from 6.6% the week prior.
The most recent technical briefing states that BF.7 has been de-escalated due to decreased incidence and low growth rates in the UK, despite the fact that the UK Health Security Agency identified it as one of the most alarming variants in terms of growth and neutralization data in a technical briefing published in October (it accounted for over 7% of cases at that time).
The specific reason why the situation in China appears to be different is unknown. The low degree of immunity to past infections and potentially vaccinations among the Chinese population may be contributing factors to BF.7’s high R0. Of course, given that the data from China is based on reports rather than yet-unreviewed proof, we should proceed with caution.
SARS-CoV-2 has been evolving ever since it first appeared three years ago, gaining genetic changes faster than anticipated.
It is alarming that BF.7 and other new variants have appeared. The strongest tool we still have to combat COVID is vaccination.Additionally, bivalent boosters that target Omicron in addition to the original strain of SARS-CoV-2 have recently been approved by the UK pharmaceuticals regulation, which is highly promising.