What are the symptoms of XBB.1.5?,where is XBB. 1.5 spreading

 

What are the symptoms of XBB.1.5?

Symptoms with XBB.1.5 appear to be similar to the earlier Omicron subvariants. Those can range from typical cold symptoms such as cough and congestion to shortness of breath and low oxygen levels that require emergency medical attention.

But as XBB.1.5 continues to spread, the signs and symptoms of COVID-19 may seem different than what was seen earlier in the pandemic with Alpha or Delta variants. Symptoms such as the temporary loss of taste and smell can still happen in some instances, but it has become less common with the Omicron variant and subvariants.

Where is XBB.1.5 spreading?

In December, the XBB.1.5 subvariant caused less than 10% of COVID-19 cases in the U.S. During the first week of January, though, it was reported that XBB.1.5 accounted for about 40% of cases. But because of the holidays, there were delays in reporting the data from states, so it was just an estimate.

Now the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has a clearer picture of impact of the XBB.1.5 subvariant. As of Jan. 13, the CDC now estimates that XBB.1.5 accounts for about 43% of cases, making it the most dominant strain in the country. BQ.1.1 is now the second most dominant strain at about 29% of COVID-19 cases. But that could change quickly.

At the moment, XBB.1.5 is the most dominant strain of COVID-19 in the Northeast, making up more than 80% of cases in New York and New Jersey. It has also been detected in at least 28 other countries but is not a dominant strain.

Why is XBB.1.5 nicknamed the Kraken?

“It is definitely an unusual name. ‘Kraken’ is the name of a mythological sea monster and XBB was given this name by a Canadian biology professor who has been trying to demystify COVID variants by giving them mythological names,” Sandra Adamson  Fryhofer, MD, an Atlanta general internist and chair of the AMA Board of Trustees, said on an episode of “AMA Update.”

“Now, it is a little easier to say than the XBB.1.5. But the name sounds scary,” Dr. Fryhofer said. “But just because it's been given the nickname of a sea monster doesn't necessarily mean it's more dangerous. Of course, we need hard data to make that determination.”

Is XBB.1.5 more transmissible?

COVID-19 cases in the U.S. caused by XBB.1.5 have gone from 1% to more than 40% rather quickly. In fact, scientists are reporting that this subvariant “appears to bind more tightly to cells in the human body than the predecessors,” said Andrea Garcia, vice president of science, medicine and public health at the AMA.

“It also seems to be more resistant than earlier variants to immune system antibodies,” Garcia said, noting that “we’re likely going to continue to see that increase in cases.”


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