The fight against COVID-19 has been ongoing for almost two years now, and it seems like the virus is not done throwing us curveballs just yet. Recently, a new variant of the virus called FLiRT has emerged in the United States and is causing concern among health officials. With the current state of the pandemic and the fear of another wave, it's only natural for people to question the danger of this new variant. In this article, we will dive into what FLiRT is, its symptoms, and how dangerous it is.
What is FLiRT?
FLiRT (Flu-like Respiratory Tract) is a newly identified variant of the COVID-19 virus that has been spreading in the United States. According to the Hindustan Times report, "FLiRT is a very interesting nickname for a group of Covid variants that have been identified in the US. These are descendants of the JN. 1 variant that came in last December. They carry some fresh mutations that seem to be allowing it to spread easily. Its symptoms are not significantly different from the previously known Covid variants."
Symptoms of FLiRT
One of the questions many people have about this new variant is how different its symptoms are from the original COVID-19 strain. According to experts, FLiRT has a combination of flu-like symptoms and COVID-19 symptoms, making it harder to identify. Some common symptoms reported by patients infected with FLiRT include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, fatigue, and loss of taste or smell.
Is FLiRT dangerous?
"We are observing an emerging group of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron subvariants, collectively called "FLiRT," that are rapidly spreading across the United States. Among these, the KP.2 strain has become the dominant form, responsible for around 25% of recent COVID-19 cases. Early indicators show that the FLiRT variants, especially KP.2, have an increased ability to transmit from person to person compared to previous Omicron subvariants" as per Dr Nikhil Modi, Senior Consultant at the Department of Respiratory, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Indraprastha Apollo Hospital.
"There are also signs that they may have developed the capability to evade immunity from prior infections and vaccinations, although the extent of this immune evasion is still under study. While FLiRT has not yet been detected in India, the potential for these highly transmissible variants to spread across the country's densely populated areas is a significant worry from a health standpoint. we must remain cautious and closely track the evolving situation, while also emphasizing the importance of continued preventive measures, such as vaccination, masking, and following respiratory hygiene practices" he also explained.
Conclusion:
The emergence of FLiRT in the United States is a cause for concern, but it's important not to panic. As we continue to navigate through this pandemic, let's remember to stay informed, stay safe, and support each other through these challenging times.
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