It’s been a month since an extremely contagious mutation of the SARS-CoV-2 virus discovered in the UK migrated to the US. Since then, the variant has spread to at least 28 states, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) predicting that it will likely become the dominant tribe in the US in March. But apart from being more transmissible, a new study has found that the British COVID strain also differs in what symptoms it presents. Read on to see what researchers have found about the UK variant, and for more information on how to keep yourself safe, you can stop doing so immediately to avoid the new COVID strain, warns doctor.
A new study by the UK Government’s Office of National Statistics (ONS) has analyzed the symptoms of a random sample of 6,000 patients in England who tested positive for the coronavirus between mid-November and mid-January, reports the BBC. Test results showed that the 3,500 patients who tested positive for the new UK variant were more likely to experience four symptoms in particular compared to the 2500 infected by other variants.
Experts believe that mutations in the form of SARS-CoV-2 are the cause of the sudden change in the manifestation of the disease. “Some of these changes in different parts of the virus can affect the body’s immune response and also affect the range of symptoms associated with infection,” Lawrence Young, PhD, virologist and professor of molecular oncology at the University of Warwick in the UK, told the BBC.
So what symptoms will you experience with the new British variant? Read on to see what the study found, and for more information on what can help if you’re dealing with the virus, find out what medications that are not available can kill COVID, study says.
British variant: 35 percent of patients
Other variants: 28 percent of patients
And if you have any of these symptoms, you can go to the hospital for more information on signs you may need medical help.
British variant: 32 percent of patients
Other variants: 29 percent of patients
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British variant: 25 percent of patients
Other variants: 21 percent of patients
And for more information on warning signs your body gives you, go to If you notice it in your mouth, you may have it, experts warn.
British variant: 21.8 percent of patients
Other variants: 19 percent of patients
And for one risk factor you should take note of, look If you have done this, you are twice as likely to develop severe COVID.