By Amy Jones,Helena Vesty
Copyright manchestereveningnews
As the seasons change, many people are starting to come down with common cold or flu symptoms. But, there are four key signs that could suggest you’re suffering from the new Covid variant instead. Health professionals have issued a warning amid a “tripledemic” threat – where three different viruses spread at the same time. They’re urging people to get their jabs as case numbers start to rise with the colder weather . In the UK, there’s been a significant increase in confirmed Covid cases, with data showing a jump from 7.6 per cent to 8.4 per cent in the space of a week. Never miss a story with the MEN’s daily Catch Up newsletter – get it in your inbox by signing up here The new Covid strain, known as Stratus, has been spreading rapidly and includes two variants: XFG and XFG. 3. The XFG. 3 variant made up around 40 per cent of Covid cases in the UK as of June, according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), reports the Mirror . Covid symptoms often mirror those of common respiratory illnesses like the flu, including fever, cough, sneezing or a runny nose. Symptoms can vary from mild to severe depending on the individual, making it easy to mistake Covid for a common cold. However, the most common initial sign of the new Stratus strain is a hoarse or raspy voice. This symptom may indicate that you have Covid rather than the flu or a cold. Medical experts have also noted additional Stratus symptoms, including blocked noses, sore throats, digestive issues and exhaustion. Medical experts have also highlighted other Stratus symptoms such as blocked noses, sore throats, digestive problems and fatigue. Biomedical scientist Dr Gareth Nye, from the University of Salford, said: “In most ways, it’s almost identical. However, people with this version tend to get very sore throats and a hoarse voice, compared with the other more general symptoms like cough, temperature and aches.” Flu cases are said to have increased from 1.1 per cent to 1.3 per cent, while respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a common cause of coughs and colds, is also set to rise. Symptoms of RSV can be minor, but it can lead to a more serious infection, such as pneumonia or bronchiolitis, the NHS explains. The four major symptoms that could indicate Covid, the flu or RSV are: With the spread of the three viruses, health experts are encouraging people to get vaccinated. “While this is to be expected at this time of year, now is the time for people to come forward for their winter vaccines if they’re eligible, before we start to see more of these viruses in circulation in the winter months,” Dr Jamie Lopez Bernal, from the UKHSA, told The Sun. Dr Jamie added: “Vaccination offers the best protection against flu, Covid-19 and RSV which is why it’s vital that eligible groups get vaccinated.” You can find out more on vaccinations on the NHS website here. More information on vaccinations can be found on the NHS website here . If you’re unsure whether you’ve contracted the flu, a cold or the new Covid variant, here are the symptoms to watch out for. Please note that symptoms vary from person to person. Get news, views and analysis of the biggest stories with the daily Mancunian Way newsletter – sign up here These are the recognised symptoms of Covid that people are advised to look out for, as outlined by the NHS. According to the NHS, these symptoms can appear “very quickly” and may include:. The NHS indicates that an RSV infection usually presents with cold-like symptoms, which generally begin within a few days of infection. The NHS outlines the following potential symptoms
