Doctor Warns of New Covid XEC Symptom Impacting Daily Functioning
A doctor has raised concerns about the significant impact that the most common symptom of the new Covid XEC variant is having on patients’ daily lives. Dr Snieguole Geige from the ‘It’s Me and You Clinic’ described the symptom of “insistent and persistent fatigue” as particularly prevalent with this variant, lasting longer than with previous variants. She also highlighted the potential for sudden, acute respiratory failure, especially in individuals who had previously only experienced mild to moderate symptoms.
The unpredictable nature of the XEC variant’s trajectory is another worrying factor, with patients at risk of rapid deterioration due to microvascular complications in the lungs leading to severe oxygen deprivation. Dr Geige stressed the dangerous nature of XEC as patients can deteriorate swiftly, making it a cause for concern among medical experts.
While some experts, like Dr Jamie Lopez Bernal from the United Kingdom Health Security Agency, have called for calm, the order of symptoms for XEC has drawn attention. Clinicians have observed a pattern of symptoms starting with a fever, followed by a cough, sore throat, muscle pain or headache, and concluding with nausea or vomiting and diarrhoea. This distinct progression can help doctors differentiate Covid XEC from other illnesses and make more informed treatment decisions.
Additionally, Covid XEC presents with symptoms similar to the common cold or flu, such as high temperature, aches, a cough, and sore throat. The NHS has identified three groups eligible for a Covid booster vaccine to protect against this variant—people over 65, individuals aged between six months and 64 years with underlying health conditions, and frontline NHS and social care workers, including those in care homes for older people.
As the Covid XEC variant continues to spread across the UK, medical professionals are emphasising the importance of monitoring its impact closely and staying informed about the evolving situation. Researchers and healthcare providers are working diligently to understand the challenges posed by this new variant and develop effective strategies to combat its effects on public health.