The variant is expected to become the 'most dominant strain in UK'
(Image: Adam Gerrard / Daily Mirror)

Covid XEC: Doctors warn symptoms could show up in specific order

by · Manchester Evening News

Doctors have warned that symptoms of the new XEC variant of Covid-19 appear in a specific order. Brits are facing a triple-threat in the cold weather as cases of the variant are on the rise.

The climb in cases comes amid low flu vaccination rates and growing numbers of people with respiratory syncytial virus or RSV. All three of these illnesses may seem to have similar symptoms and early stages on paper.

But a new study from the University of Southern California has revealed the exact order in which Covid-19 symptoms arise. The variant is expected to become the 'most dominant strain in UK' soon.

READ MORE Top doctors explain why trying to find out whether you've got Covid is hard - and how this new variant differs

Doctors say it could help people differentiate between this new variant and other sickly threats over winter, SurreyLive reports.

The order of symptoms is as follows:

  • Fever
  • Cough
  • Sore throat
  • Muscle pain, or headache
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Diarrhea

The new XEC Covid strain is otherwise very similar to previous variants, particularly because it is a combination of omicron subvariants. Dr Monica Gandhi, MD, MPH, professor of medicine at the University of California, noted: "The symptoms seem to be the same as with other recent subvariants of Omicron."

New figures have shown that a variant of Covid – known as the XEC strain – is spreading across the UK.
(Image: Shared Content Unit)

New figures have shown that a variant of Covid – known as the XEC strain – is spreading across the UK. The admission rate for patients testing positive for Covid-19 stood at 4.5 per 100,000 people in the week to October 6, up from 3.7 a week earlier.

It is the fourth weekly rise in a row, according to data published by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).

Dr Jamie Lopez Bernal, UKHSA consultant epidemiologist, said: “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."

It may also be valuable to track where you are in the order list as this could help medical professionals treat you. Joseph Larsen, lead study author and USC Dornsife doctoral candidate, added: "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."