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Symptoms of mutant coronavirus
It is too early to say with certainty if the new Covid strain will cause any symptoms different from that caused by the older variant. Apart from the regular symptoms of Covid which includes dry cough and mild fever, the following have also been associated with the new strain
- Continuous cough
- Chest pains, fever
- Loss of taste and smell
- Headache
- Tiredness
- Muscle Pain
- Diarrhoea
- Confusion
Is the new Covid strain more dangerous?
Based on the observations so far, the authorities believe that the new Covid strain is 70 per cent more infectious than the previous strains, which makes it more dangerous. One is more likely to catch the new virus than was the case with the older strains.
Researchers also say that the new variant may attack the immune system faster and more severely than previous strains.
Is it more difficult to diagnose?
So far there is not enough evidence to say that the new strain would be more difficult to diagnose. The treatment also remains similar to that in case of older strain and medical experts continue to rely on symptomatic treatment.
Will the vaccines work against the new Covid strain?
It is too early to determine the effectiveness of the vaccine on the new covid strain. Union Health Ministry has stated that the new strain has not been found in India yet but the organisations producing vaccines are researching this mutant virus.