XBB variant: All that you need to know
Posted 06 Apr 2023 | Source: https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/
The covid variant cases are mostly mild in nature but easily transmissible; elders and immuno compromised however, are most at risk say experts.
With covid-19 cases rising, the new Omicron XBB.1.16 variant is found to responsible for the surging numbers.
The XBB variant has so far been mild, but the transmission rate is high.
In Karnataka as well, the percentage of XBB variant cases in the state is high. According to the statistics from Department of Health and Family Welfare, the percentage contribution of XBB variant has been 94.24 per cent between January- March 2023 in comparison to other variants. In the data between January - December 2022, higher prominence of BA 2 variant is at 74.54 per cent.
The Omicron’s BA1.1.529 variant of concern (VOC) reported between January- March 2023 was reportedly 0.63 per cent, followed by BA 2 variant at 5.11 per cent. Other variants like ETA, Kappa, Pango contributed to 26.86 per cent. And the highest was XBB variant at 94.24 per cent.
With the increase in number of cases, the state government has already started screening at international airports. As on April 4, Karnataka reportedly has 1411 active cases and majority of the cases are from Bengaluru Urban with 831 active cases.
However, according to the health professionals the cases have so far been mild with no severity. But for those who are elderly and are immunocompromised, the experts have advised to take all the precautionary measures and be vigilant.
Dr CN Manjunath, Director of Jaydeva Hospital said, “The symptoms of XBB variant are similar to previous variants like fever, chills, myalgia, runny nose, sore throat, cough, headache, diarrhoea, vomiting and in severe cases can cause shortness of breath. The immunocompromised can have more severity as their immunity is low comparatively to other. So far, the hospitalisations has been minimal and those who are tested positive for covid 19 are even asymptomatic. They are coming for other illnesses or for surgeries and are later testing positive for covid.”
Dr Swati Rajagopal, Consultant- Infectious Disease & Travel Medicine, Aster CMI Hospital, Bengaluru, said it was important for the immunosuppressed population to wear masks in crowded areas to avoid severe infections. Individuals who have not got the third precautionary dose of covid vaccine must get vaccinated. Getting tested and early diagnosis remains the key to management. If one is unwell, it is important to get tested and refrain from going outdoors.
The health professionals have also advised to avoid crowded poorly ventilated areas as it has higher tendency to spread.
For the immunosuppressed patients it is important to wear masks. It is also advisable to get vaccination against influenza and to get the third precautionary dose of covid vaccine that will certainly reduce the severity of infection.
Keeping good health, healthy diet rich in vitamins and anti-oxidants and maintaining good medical records like stable blood pressure, cardiac status and diabetes would help in reducing the severity of infection, added Dr Rajagopal.
