A ‘tripledemic’ occurs when three different viruses spread simultaneously
As the seasons change, many people are beginning to experience symptoms of a cold or flu. However, but four signs may mean you are actually suffering from the latest Covid variant instead.
Health experts are warning the public over the threat of a “tripledemic” this autumn and winter, which occurs when three different viruses spread at the same time. They are urging people to get vaccinated as cases begin to climb as we head further into the colder months.
In the UK, confirmed Covid cases have jumped in recent days, with data showing that in the space of a week cases of the newest variant rose from 7.6 per cent to 8.4 per cent.
The new Covid strain, known as Stratus, includes two variants: XFG and XFG. 3, and has been spreading rapidly. The XFG. 3 variant made up around 40 per cent of Covid cases in the UK as of June, according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), reports the Mirror.
In most instances, Covid symptoms mirror those of common respiratory illnesses such as the flu, including fever, cough, sneezing or a runny nose. Symptoms can vary from minor to severe, so it can be easy to mistake Covid for a common cold.
However, the most common initial sign of the new Stratus strain is a hoarse or raspy voice. This symptom may suggest that you have Covid rather than the flu or a cold. Medical experts have also identified additional Stratus symptoms, including blocked noses, sore throats, digestive issues and exhaustion.
Dr Nye told The Mirror: “In most ways, it’s almost identical. However, people with this version tend to get very sore throats and a hoarse voice, compared with the other more general symptoms like cough, temperature and aches.”
It’s reported that flu cases have risen from 1.1 per cent to 1.3 per cent, while respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a common cause of coughs and colds, is also expected to increase. Symptoms of RSV can be minor, but it can lead to a more serious infection, such as pneumonia or bronchiolitis, according to the NHS.
The four major symptoms to look out for that could indicate Covid, the flu or RSV are:
- having a high temperature
- a cough
- feeling tired
- aching muscles and joints
As the three viruses spread, health experts are urging people to get vaccinated. Dr Jamie Lopez Bernal from the UKHSA told The Sun: “While this is to be expected at this time of year, now is the time for people to come forward for their winter vaccines if they’re eligible, before we start to see more of these viruses in circulation in the winter months.”
Dr Jamie further added: “Vaccination offers the best protection against flu, Covid-19 and RSV which is why it’s vital that eligible groups get vaccinated.” More information on vaccinations can be found on the NHS website here.
If you’re unsure whether you’ve got the flu, a cold or the new Covid variant, here are the symptoms to look out for. Please note that symptoms vary from person to person.
Covid symptoms
These are the recognised symptoms of Covid that people are advised to look out for, as outlined by the NHS:
- a high temperature or shivering (chills) – a high temperature means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)
- a new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours
- a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste
- shortness of breath
- feeling tired or exhausted
- an aching body
- a headache
- a sore throat
- a blocked or runny nose
- loss of appetite
- diarrhoea
- feeling sick or being sick
Flu symptoms
The NHS highlights that these symptoms can appear “very quickly” and may include:
- a sudden high temperature
- an aching body
- feeling tired or exhausted
- a dry cough
- a sore throat
- a headache
- difficulty sleeping
- loss of appetite
- diarrhoea or tummy pain
- feeling sick and being sick
RSV infection symptoms
According to the NHS, most people experience cold-like symptoms with an RSV infection, which typically start within a few days of becoming infected. The NHS outlines the possible symptoms as follows:
- a runny or blocked nose
- a cough
- sneezing
- tiredness
- a high temperature – signs include your back or chest feeling hotter than usual, sweatiness and shivering (chills)
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