Stratus (XFG) and Nimbus (NB.1.8.1) are some of the newest strains of Covid
A doctor warned that a Covid symptom could get worse ‘at night'(Image: Getty Images)
Coughs and colds are seemingly rampant at the moment. As flu season sets in, levels of winter viruses are beginning to rise.
The latest UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) data shows Covid-19 cases are climbing, with the virus now circulating the country at medium levels.
Some 3,049 Covid cases were reported in the week ending October 1 – a 19 per cent rise from 2,563 the week before. Weekly Covid deaths and hospitalisations are also on the rise.
It comes as a new Covid variant has become the dominant strain in the UK. The XFG variant, commonly known as Stratus, accounted for more than 82 per cent of all cases in England between September 1 and September 14.
Another variant identified by the World Health Organisation (WHO) this year was NB.1.8.1, also known as Nimbus. Experts warn that both variants are “highly transmissible”, but there is no evidence to suggest they cause more severe disease than previous strains.
Symptoms of the new Covid variants
When Covid first began to circulate in 2020, its main symptoms included fever or chills, a new, continuous cough, and a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste.
However, as it mutated over time and new strains emerged, many people now experience cold-like symptoms. There are also key differences between the symptoms of Stratus and Nimbus, according to Dr Bruno Silvester Lopes, lecturer in microbiology at Teesside University.
Stratus Covid can cause cold-like symptoms(Image: Getty Images)
“Stratus is linked to hoarseness and fatigue, whereas Nimbus is associated with a ‘razor-blade’ sore throat and digestive symptoms like nausea and bloating,” explains Dr Lopes. “Both are highly transmissible but not more severe than previous variants.”
According to the UKHSA, other common symptoms of Covid include a fever, continuous cough, shortness of breath, tiredness, body aches, headache, sore throat, blocked nose, loss of appetite, nausea, diarrhoea, or change in sense of taste or smell.
How to tell if you have Covid or a common cold
“Colds are caused by a bunch of different viruses, but the most common culprit is the rhinovirus, a tiny troublemaker that loves to set up camp in your nose and throat,” explains Dr Chun Tang, GP at Pall Mall Medical.
“Covid, on the other hand, is caused by a single virus, SARS-CoV-2, which is a type of coronavirus. Both attack your respiratory system, but Covid tends to go deeper, sometimes affecting the lungs and even other organs.”
Colds and Covid can be tricky to distinguish as many of their symptoms overlap. Dr Tang says both viruses can give you a sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, and coughing. However, Covid can also cause fever, fatigue, and muscle aches.
“Covid is also more likely to make you feel wiped out, like you’ve been hit by a truck, whereas a cold tends to stay in your head and chest,” he adds.
Covid tests are available to buy in pharmacies or online(Image: Getty Images)
Covid symptoms typically last for up to two weeks, while cold symptoms often last for a week to 10 days.
If you’re unsure which virus is causing your symptoms, experts say it’s important to test for Covid, “especially if you’re feeling unwell and work around vulnerable people like in healthcare or care homes, or if you want to avoid spreading it to family members who might be at risk,” says Dr Tang.
“You can still buy rapid lateral flow tests from pharmacies or order them online. Some workplaces and community settings also provide them for free. Testing helps you make informed choices, like staying at home if you’re positive,” he adds.