COVID-19 XE variant | Booster dose in India
Ever since the world started facing the threat of COVID-19 virus, different variants of the Covid virus began to occur. There has been a growth in the occurrence of COVID-19 in the United Kingdom recently. A recombinant variant of Omicron BA.1, known as the XE variant, is a hybrid between those two variants. The first signs of XE variant were found in the UK around January. According to Dr. Nishtha Singh, it is not necessary that every mutation is harmful or every mutation increases its disease-causing ability & pathogenicity. Different variants of Covid-19 have been identified so far, Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, Omicron, and the most recent being Omicron COVID-19 XE variant.
Dr. Nishtha Singh is one of the best Allergy and Chest Specialists at Asthma Bhawan, Jaipur. She has more than 6 years of experience in the field of respiratory medicine and has the highest experience in Pulmonology, EBUS & Bronchoscopy.
COVID-19 XE variant | Booster dose in India- Dr. Nishtha Singh
Accordingly, in WHO’s report, the BA.2 sub-variant is more transmissible than the new variant. There were, however, several differences in the infection transmission, including harshness, reported by the health agency. According to the WHO, COVID-19 strain XE could be more transferable than any other strain. As of now what we know about XE variant, it is not likely to cause much damage given the immunity has developed in most of us all from prior infections.
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Symptoms different from Omicron
Clinically, one can never determine between any of the variants. The new sub-variant XE occurs to share all of Omicron’s symptoms. It is commonly calmer and not extremely intense. Hence, there are some symptoms, including:
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Sore Throat
- Cough and Cold
- Headache
- Body ache
- Skin irritations
- Painful or scratchy throat
Is there any reason to worry?
Although COVID-19 XE variant has a 10% greater advantage of infecting people than the dominant BA.2 variant of Omicron. There is no significant rise in the number of cases, which is a huge sigh of relief. Yes, it is more transmissible, but the body has its role to play. Immunity from prior infections or from vaccination surpasses the threat these mutated variants pose to us all, says Dr. Nishtha Singh.
Role of immunity in fighting with the variant:
When we get infected from any disease, our body stores the information of the infection and the organism so as to produce a quicker response the next time same pathogen tries to gain entry within our body. The whole purpose of the vaccination was to make us immune from the danger this virus. The transformations are still ongoing, and the virus is trying to make it stable, undergoing many random changes.
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Booster doses and their role:
Accordingly, Dr. Nishtha Singh, since the virus is continually mutating, it is recommended to get booster shots for those; who are eligible. Omicron variant and their sub-variants, such as XE, are different from previously discovered variants like Delta. Also, some immunocompromised people didn’t respond well to the first two shots and were still infected. These will now boost the body to produce antibodies against the antigen.