Like all countries on the continent, Italy is also grappling with a wave of cases led by the Omicron variants BA.4 and BA.5, which are set to become dominant in Europe by the end of July. According to the latest survey conducted by the ISS and the Ministry of Health together with Regional Laboratories and the Bruno Kessler Foundation, on July 5, the Omicron variant had an estimated prevalence of 100%, with the BA.5 subvariable (75.5%) prevalent, followed by BA 4 (13.2%). ), BA.2 (10.3%), BA.1 (0.6%). Two years into the pandemic, it is now clear that Covid-19 is changing rapidly and can affect in different ways, depending on gender, age and the presence of previous diseases. But not only that, the emergence of new variants always caused symptoms, but also the development and spread of the aggressiveness of the virus. If previously the virus was highly contagious as people never encountered the disease or were not given vaccines, its advantage now lies in the ability to evade the immune response, re-infecting those who have recovered from the disease. “The rapid spread of BA.4 and BA.5 – explained by the ECDC (European Center for Disease Prevention and Control) in the latest epidemiological update on Covid – is probably due to the ability to evade immune protection caused by previous infection and/or vaccination, particularly if The immunity decreased over time.” “If you have Ba.1, you risk re-infecting yourself with BA.4 and BA.5,” said Dr. Anthony Fauci, the chief infectious disease expert in the United States.
But it is clear that the characterization of the variant prevalent in this latest wave of infection is also a new symptom, very common among newer Covid patients, which is added to those typical of the Omicron “sisters”, such as sore throat, stuffy or runny nose. Frequent sneezing and headache. This is intense night sweats that can cause clothes and bedding to get wet, making sleep difficult. He was brought to his attention by Luke O’Neill of Trinity College Dublin, professor of biochemistry at Trinity College Dublin, in a recent interview with Irish radio.
Night sweats are a feature of Omicron 5
Among the symptoms recently found in people with Covid are intense and intense night sweats that tend to occur not only during the period of active infection, but also persist for several weeks after recovery. “The disease is a little different because the virus has changed,” O’Neill said. “There is some immunity — with T cells of course and so forth — and this combination of slightly different immune systems and viruses can lead to a slightly different disease, and oddly enough, night sweats is a trait. But more importantly, if you are vaccinated and boosted, it will not develop into Serious illness. This is the message that must continue to remind people.”
Omicron and sleep disorders
To confirm these symptoms, thousands of patients around the world have also reported by Dr Amir Khan, UK National Health Service physician and expert in virology and microbiology. “Watch out for night sweats as a sign to undergo a molecular swab. The appearance of symptoms such as heavy sweat produced during sleeping hours could be a factor due to the presence of the virus inside our bodies.” “Covid could actually have an effect on sleep regulation in our brain, given that – Khan continues – neurological effects have been reported by several institutes studying symptoms most common among positive cases.”
Then there are those who warn that these symptoms can be misinterpreted and easy conclusions drawn, such as Dr. Kat Liddell, an expert in sleep therapy at Guilford University in southern England. “That’s right, we found a recurring trend of nighttime disturbances among the most recent cases of people who tested positive. Everything suggests they are symptoms attributable to the Omicron variant, but we can’t say for sure. We need long-term comments that we don’t have at the moment,” Liederl said. .
Other symptoms of Omicron 5
Therefore, there is still no official data on the prevalence of night sweats symptoms in Covid patients, but experts say it is a symptom that should not be underestimated as it may indicate the presence of infection. According to the latest data from the Zoe Covid Symptom Study, based on self-reported symptoms via the app, the most common symptoms (over 60% of reports) are runny nose (66%), sore throat (65%) and sore throat. Throat head (64%), persistent cough (67%), tiredness (62%). However, less frequent voice (44%), joint and muscle pain (35%), fever (31%), chills (30%). Other symptoms that were previously very common – such as loss of smell, shortness of breath and fever – are now reported less commonly, ranking below the list of most common symptoms, 6, 29 and 8, respectively.
The new alternative “Centaurus” is making its way around the world
While Omicron 4 and 5 are rapidly operating worldwide, a new Indian variant, BA.2.75, renamed by social media “Centaurus”, is now making its way, following the first cases reported in May in India, circulating in United Kingdom, Japan, United States, Australia, Germany, Canada, New Zealand, Nepal and Indonesia. According to early evidence, this strain appears to be more contagious and more elusive than immunity acquired by vaccination or infection. But there is no evidence that it can cause severe forms of the disease. According to some forecasts, it will also arrive in Italy in September, once the Omicron 5 peak has been passed.
(source: today)
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