Following a quiet summer, COVID-19 appears to be resurfacing in the US. There are higher cases and hospitalisations nationwide as a result of the EG.5 (Eris) subvariant.
A Key Figure in COVID-19 Cases is EG.5.
The most recent estimates of the various virus kinds have been provided to us by the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). With EG.5 accounting for slightly more than 20% of all COVID-19 infections, it is now the most prevalent among them in the United States.
More Patients Visiting Hospitals
The number of persons requiring hospital care as a result of COVID-19 is increasing recently. According to data from August 19, 15,067 additional COVID-19 hospitalisations occurred in just one week. This represents an increase of 19% from the previous week.
Examining EG.5 Symptoms
The first question people have about a new COVID-19 variation is what symptoms it has. Although the majority of COVID-19 symptoms are comparable, it might be challenging to identify which ones are specific to EG.5. But as this new subvariant spreads throughout the United States, doctors are observing certain common symptoms.
Recognizing EG.5 Symptoms
Although we don’t have strong data yet about the specific symptoms of EG.5, doctors are telling us that most people are having mild symptoms, like what we’ve seen before with other forms of COVID-19. Dr. Kristina K. Bryant, who specializes in infectious diseases, shared that patients are experiencing symptoms similar to the previous Omicron subvariant. These symptoms usually involve problems in the upper part of the breathing system, such as a sore throat, cough, congestion, and runny nose. Some individuals even thought they had allergies. Dr. Bryant emphasized that EG.5 is important to monitor as it’s currently the most dominant subvariant.
Symptoms of COVID-19 have changed.
Some symptoms have increased in frequency while others have decreased as the COVID-19 virus has evolved through time. The virus still primarily harms the respiratory system, though.
Less People Experience Taste and Smell Loss
Many individuals reported losing their sense of taste and smell when the virus initially surfaced in 2020. But more than three years later, the prevalence of this symptom in the general population has decreased. According to current studies, there is a 6-7% chance that these senses will be lost as a result of recent omicron mutations. The loss of taste and smell may no longer be a major indicator of COVID-19 in the future.
Lower Abdominal Symptoms
As time passes, it appears that symptoms of the stomach and digestion, such as diarrhoea, vomiting, and nausea, are becoming less frequent.
decrease in the incidence of MIS-C (Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children)
Less children with MIS-C, a condition that some children with COVID-19 experienced, are now being seen by doctors. According to the CDC, in 2020, MIS-C occurred in roughly 1 out of every 3,000 to 4,000 adolescents and teenagers who had the virus. Since the pandemic began, this condition has become less common. Many kids have either been exposed to COVID-19 or have received the vaccine, experts say, which may be the reason of this decline.
In order to keep ourselves and our communities safe, it is crucial to stay educated about the effects of EG.5 and the changes in COVID-19 symptoms.
