By Isabelle Bates,Ryan Fahey
Copyright birminghammail
A number of Covid symptoms linked to the new ‘Stratus’ variant could be easily overlooked, it has been warned. It comes as health experts in Ireland recorded 425 new infections in the first week of September, with the Stratus variant – also known as XFG – said to be behind the vast majority of new cases. It accounts for 76.1 per cent of reported infections compared to just 49.3 per cent six weeks ago, Ireland’s Health Protection Surveillance Centre said. READ MORE: Shop thief found with cat that didn’t belong to him Get breaking news on BirminghamLive WhatsApp , click the link to join The variant of the virus is said to have unusual warning signs such as a hoarse voice. According to the World Health Organization, Stratus is a “variant under monitoring”. It is not thought to produce a more severe illness, but it can spread faster than earlier strains. Speaking to Cosmopolitan UK, Harley Street GP Dr Kaywaan Khan said: “One of the most noticeable symptoms of the Stratus variant is hoarseness, which includes a scratchy or raspy voice.” Doctors have also logged a number of other symptoms, including nasal congestion, sore throats, stomach upsets and fatigue. Infectious disease specialist Dr Peter Chin-Hong from the University of California San Francisco warned that Stratus presents a “wider range of symptoms” than previous variants, The Mirror reports. He told SFGATE: “There’s a little bit more sore throats with some people. Particularly in those who are older, who didn’t get vaccinated last year. “It’s more transmissible, so we expect that a lot of people will get it. Particularly with kids going back to school, a sniffle is likely going to be Covid .” The HSE said: “If you have any symptoms of Covid and feel unwell, you should: stay at home until 48 hours after your symptoms are mostly or fully gone and avoid contact with other people, especially people at higher risk from Covid. “You do not need a Covid test unless a GP or health professional tells you to.” The symptoms are very similar to symptoms of other illnesses, such as colds and flu. Most people feel better within a few weeks, but it can take longer to recover. For some people, it can be a more serious illness and their symptoms can last longer. Always consult a healthcare professional if you are concerned about your health.
