By Shauna Bannon Ward
A GP has shared a unique symptom of the new Covid variant named Stratus.
The variant, whose formal name is XFG, is spreading in nearby countries and follows the recent Nimbus variant that people reported had symptoms of a very sore throat.
Stratus was found to be the dominant strain in England by the UK Health Security Agency.
Dr Kaywaan Khan, Harley Street GP and Founder of Hannah London Clinic, shared that you could test positive for this variant even if you had Covid or you have been vaccinated against the virus.
鈥淯nlike other variants, Stratus has certain mutations in the spike protein which could help it evade antibodies developed from prior infections or vaccinations,鈥 he told Cosmopolitan UK.
He explained that while you likely won鈥檛 become 鈥渕ore ill鈥 with Stratus in comparison to other strains, people have been presenting with one unique symptom.
Dr Khan said: 鈥淥ne of the most noticeable symptoms of the Stratus variant is hoarseness, which includes a scratchy or raspy voice.鈥
He described the symptoms of Stratus between 鈥渕ild to moderate鈥.
Dr Khan said in general, the symptoms of Stratus tend to be ‘mild to moderate’.
鈥淚f you test positive, Stratus is highly contagious, and it is advised to stay home and isolate to avoid spreading to others,鈥 he shared.
Other symptoms are in line with general Covid symptoms, with HSE listing ones to look out for:
The most common symptoms of COVID-19 (coronavirus) are:
fever (high temperature – 38 degrees Celsius or above) – including having chills dry cough fatigue (tiredness)
COVID-19 symptoms can be like symptoms of cold, flu or hay fever. You may not have all of the symptoms or your symptoms may be mild.
Less common symptoms of COVID-19 include:
loss or change to your sense of smell or taste 鈥 this could mean they’re completely gone or just different to normal nasal congestion (runny or blocked nose) conjunctivitis (also known as red eye or pink eye) sore throat headache muscle or joint pain (aches and pains) different types of skin rash nausea or vomiting diarrhoea chills or dizziness Severe symptoms
Symptoms of severe COVID鈥19 include:
shortness of breath or breathing difficulties
loss of appetite confusion pain or pressure in the chest fever (high temperature – 38 degrees Celsius or above)