Covid-19 continues to affect people with new variants despite more than four years having passed and vaccinations. The virus that caused the global pandemic is still negatively affecting people with the mutations it has undergone. Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology Specialist Dr. Nagihan Demir provided information about the new variant that carries the symptoms of the coronavirus disease that is common all over the world and explained what needs to be done to protect against the disease.
“THE VIRUS IS STILL CIRCULATE”
Dr. Demir said, “More than four years have passed since the COVID-19 pandemic was declared, but the virus that caused the global pandemic is still circulating. KP.3 was the latest in a long series. This variant does not follow a specific seasonal pattern, and an epidemic wave can occur at any time of the year. Experts studying epidemics at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) state that a sudden increase in Covid cases and hospitalizations is observed every year in July. They call this the summer wave. They explain the increase in the spread of the Covid wave this summer with the fact that people are in environments that require physical proximity, such as festivals and concerts, and the air becomes dry due to excessive use of air conditioners.”
“THE SYMPTOMS OF THE NEW VARIANT ARE SIMILAR TO THE PREVIOUS ONES”
Noting that the list of possible symptoms for KP.3 determined by the CDC is the same as those for the previous variant JN.1, Dr. Demir also stated that the symptoms may vary from person to person. Dr. Demir said, “After the virus enters the body, symptoms may appear within two weeks. General symptoms include fever/chills, joint pain, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, muscle pain, headache, loss of taste or smell, sore throat, runny nose, nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, and may vary from person to person.”
“STRENGTHEN YOUR IMMUNITY TO AVOID CATCHING DISEASES”
Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology Specialist Dr. Nagihan Demir stated that observing physical distance rules, wearing masks, paying attention to hygiene, taking nutrition or supplements to strengthen the immune system, frequently ventilating closed areas, and current vaccines are important for protection against new variants of the coronavirus. Dr. Demir said, “In order to overcome the disease quickly, take care to have a correct and balanced diet and drink enough water. Consuming foods rich in vitamins and minerals, taking vitamins with the doctor’s recommendation will contribute to the strengthening of your immune system. On the other hand, staying away from anxiety and stress, getting enough and regular sleep, and resting will allow you to overcome the disease more quickly.” (İHA)