It's been a while since the COVID pandemic started, hasn't it? The initial fear has subsided a bit and we've gotten used to normal life. But we still get a little nervous when we hear about a 'new Covid variant', right? We're all familiar with things like Delta and Omicron by now. So today, let's talk about what these Covid variants really are, how they develop, and why we need to be aware of them.
What is this 'variant'?
Simply put, a virus is something that constantly undergoes small changes. Imagine, when we copy the same letter several times, maybe one or two letters can change, right? That's what happens here. A virus enters our body's cells and makes billions of copies of itself. In this process, sometimes small mistakes happen.
The genetic information of the virus, that is, its complete plan, is contained in something called RNA (ribonucleic acid) . If this RNA changes when it is copied, we call it a 'mutation' . A new virus that has one or more such mutations is called a 'variant'.
The important thing is that not all of these variants that emerge are dangerous. In most cases, these changes have no effect on the behavior of the virus.
However, sometimes these mutations can completely change the way the virus behaves. For example:
- It can spread faster than before.
- It can make the disease worse .
- We may be able to avoid being affected by the vaccines we receive or the immunity we have developed from having previously contracted the disease.
- May not respond to existing treatments.
Scientists around the world are constantly studying these changes for these reasons.
How do you classify varieties?
We don't need to be afraid of every new strain that we encounter. Experts classify these strains into different categories based on their risk. This helps us understand which strains we should pay more attention to.
| Classification | What does this mean? |
|---|---|
| Variants of Concern (VOC) | These are the most dangerous strains. They spread very quickly, cause severe disease, and may be less responsive to vaccines or treatments. The Delta strain is a prime example of this. |
| Variants of Interest (VOI) | Scientists suspect that genetic variations in these varieties could make them dangerous in the future, so they are keeping an eye on these as well. |
| Variant under Monitoring (VUM) | There is still no clear data on the spread or impact of these, but they are thought to pose some risk. Their behavior is constantly being monitored. |
The genres we remember and the latest status
Throughout the Covid pandemic, many variants have come and gone, and some of them are still vivid in our memories.
Delta and Omicron
We remember how badly the Delta variant spread in Sri Lanka when it arrived, and how hospitals were overwhelmed. It was a very severe variant that fell into the VOC category.
Then came the Omicron variant, which spread even faster. Fortunately, the disease caused by Omicron was not as severe as Delta. But Omicron also had many other smaller 'sub-variants'. You may remember BA.2, BA.5.
Latest status
The virus is still mutating. Recently, there has been talk of Omicron sub-variants such as EG.5 (also known as 'Eris' by some) and BA.2.86 (nicknamed 'Pirola'). These can also spread rapidly, but there is little evidence that they generally cause severe illness.
Scientists say the reason the Omicron variant is spreading so quickly is because its genetic changes are mostly in the part of the virus that attaches to our human cells, allowing it to enter cells more easily.
Do symptoms vary depending on the variety?
This is a problem that many people have. In fact, the basic symptoms of Covid are mostly the same.
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Body aches , extreme fatigue
- Difficulty breathing
- Headache
- Sore throat
- Loss of smell or taste
- Runny nose , stuffy nose
- Stomach upset, nausea, diarrhea
However, some strains showed more symptoms and some showed less. For example, while loss of smell was very common in early strains, it was slightly reduced in the Omicron strain. In Omicron, symptoms like a sore throat, runny nose, and headache were the most common.
This is why it's best not to ignore symptoms, thinking, "It's probably just a common cold." If you have any doubts, it's always best to see your doctor for advice.
So, what do we do now?
We can't stop the virus from changing. It's a natural process. New variants may emerge in the future. But there's no need to be afraid of that. The most important thing is to be aware and follow safety measures.
Our health habits are still very important.
- Wearing a face mask : Especially in crowded, indoor places.
- Wash your hands frequently: with soap or disinfectant.
- Social distancing: Staying away from others whenever possible.
- Vaccination: It is very important to receive the correct doses of the Covid vaccine and booster doses as prescribed by your doctor.
These simple things can help us a lot in protecting ourselves from any kind of threat.
Take-Home Message
- The Covid virus is constantly changing (mutating), which is what creates new variants. This is normal.
- Not all strains are dangerous, but some strains can spread quickly, cause severe disease, or not respond to vaccines.
- Delta and Omicron are the two most well-known variants. There are many other sub-variants within Omicron.
- Symptoms may vary slightly from strain to strain, but basic symptoms such as fever, cough, and body aches are common.
- Don't ignore symptoms. Always see a doctor if in doubt.
- Following good health practices such as wearing masks, washing hands, and getting vaccinated can protect you from any strain.
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