New Covid variant BA.2.86: 8 common Covid symptoms you need to know

“The World Health Organization (WHO) is currently monitoring a new Covid-19 variant which has a lot of mutations.

This variant, currently causing infections in Denmark, Israel and US is termed as BA2.86. The extent of spread and heavy changes in the spike structure has led to it being termed as ‘variant under monitoring’,” Dr Charu Dutt Arora, Infectious Disease Specialist, Consultant Physician, AmeriHealth, Asian Hospital told HT Digital.

XBB.2.3, XBB.1.9.2, XBB.1.9.1, XBB, CH.1.1, and BA.2.75 are currently feature in the list of variant uner monitoring list of WHO.

Fever: The most common sign of any viral infection, Covid patients continue to experience fever. Although, the severity of it can depend from patient to patient.

Cough: A persistent and irritating cough is experienced even with this new variant.

Head ache and body pain: It is common to experience a severe body ache in back, shoulder etc. People may also suffer from head ache.

Fatigue: This is a common Covid sign that’s even seen with this strain but the severity of it can vary with every person.

Abdominal discomfort: Stomach pain, diarrhoea, vomiting are some of the symptoms that are commonly reported in Covid patients.

Stuffy nose: A stuffy nose is where a person feels their nose is blocked or has mucus. It makes breathing from nose difficult and leads to general discomfort.

Sore throat: A feeling of something stuck in the throat, pain, scratchiness, irritation, difficulty in swallowing can be experienced.

Decreased appetite: People may lose appetite or may experience loss of smell.