XEC Covid strain warning as symptoms can appear in specific order

A new study has revealed the order of Covid-19 XEC symptoms that could help differentiate the new variant from other illnesses with similar symptoms like the flu

Experts are warning people to watch for the symptoms of a Covid variant as cases of the XEC strain rise. And there is one key pattern - the symptoms can emerge in a certain order.

A University of Southern California study has revealed the order in which Covid-19 symptoms typically emerge, potentially helping to separate the new Covid variant from other seasonal illnesses. The symptom order for the XEC variant is listed as fever first, followed by cough, sore throat, muscle pain or headache, then nausea or vomiting, ending with diarrhea.

Healthline experts have advised that individuals who notice this specific symptom progression should seek a Covid-19 test and isolate. Dr Robert Glatter also pointed out a key difference with the flu, saying: "Patients with seasonal flu more commonly developed a cough before the onset of fever."

Understanding where you might be in the sequence of symptoms could help a medical professional. Dr Joseph Larsen, the lead study author, highlighted: "Knowing that each illness progresses differently means that doctors can identify sooner whether someone likely has COVID-19, or another illness, which can help them make better treatment decisions."

The new XEC Covid strain is in other ways similar to previous variants, being a mishmash of omicron subvariants. Dr Monica Gandhi, MD, MPH, a professor of medicine at the University of California, said: "The symptoms seem to be the same as with other recent subvariants of Omicron."

She also pointed out that certain groups, including those who are immunocompromised, older, or not immune, might experience an additional symptom. The health expert cautioned that these individuals could face more severe lower respiratory tract symptoms, potentially leading to different illnesses such as pneumonia.

Last week, officials said Covid-19 hospital admissions in England were continuing to rise, but remained at low levels. It came as health experts encouraged eligible people to get vaccinated.

The admission rate for patients testing positive for Covid stood at 4.5 per 100,000 people in the week to October 6. That was a rise from 3.7 a week earlier and the fourth weekly rise in a row, according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).

Twelve months earlier, admissions stood at the higher rate of 6.2 per 100,000 people. They then fell before peaking at 5.2 over Christmas.

To put things in perspective, during the first winter of the pandemic in 2020/21, rates climbed as high at 36.5 per 100,000. Dr Jamie Lopez Bernal, UKHSA consultant epidemiologist, said on October 10: “Covid-19 is continuing to circulate, with a slight increase in hospitalisations over the past two weeks. As winter approaches, we expect flu and RSV to increasingly circulate too, so if you’re eligible to get vaccinated against the three main winter threats – Covid-19, flu and RSV – now is the time to take them up and get winter strong.

“We understand people may be concerned about new variants. Our surveillance shows that where Covid cases are sequenced, around one in 10 are the ‘XEC’ lineage. Current information doesn’t suggest we should be more concerned about this variant, but we are monitoring this closely.

“The most important thing to do is to get your vaccination as soon as possible if you’re eligible.”