New COVID Variant XEC: What You Need to Know About Symptoms, Risks, and Staying Protected
Plus see why experts say you should 'bundle' your COVID vaccine with a flu shot
As cold and flu season approaches, the situation is becoming more complex with the recent emergence of the new COVID-19 variant, XEC. COVID-19 and knowledge of its exact properties have evolved quite a bit, with different strains and variants (and many different names) surfacing. Government agencies are not officially tracking this latest new variant, but healthcare providers and researchers are monitoring the potential health risk. Here’s what you need to know.
What is a COVID-19 variant?
COVID-19 variants have evolved over time, each emerging with different names and characteristics. The original strain of SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19, was detected in 2019 (hence the “19” in the name). As the virus continued to spread globally, the World Health Organization (WHO) started to label each variant that it deemed a concern using the Greek alphabet. Enter: Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta and Omicron.
“A new variant is a modified form of the virus that arises after the virus mutates,” explains Carla Garcia Carreno, MD, Medical Director of Infection Prevention and Control at Children’s Medical Center Plano. “Every time the virus replicates, small errors in the copying part of the process may cause a variant. This is particularly true for viruses [like COVID] that contain RNA genetic material—rather than DNA.”
Small changes in the genetic code of the virus causes a new form, which can have clinical significance or not based on whether it’s able to escape the immune system, spread more easily or becomes more aggressive, adds Dr. Carreno.
“Viruses tend to be very sloppy when it comes to copying themselves, so random mutations are constantly being introduced,” says Brian Labus, PhD, MPH, Epidemiologist, Infectious Disease Expert and Public Health Professor at University of Nevada, Las Vegas. “From the point of view of the virus, this is a good thing, as it allows them to adapt to human immune systems that are constantly changing as well.”
These mutations are classified as variants when they result in a meaningful change to the virus, Labus explains. Hundreds of millions of people become infected, producing billions of viruses in the process. That means there is ample opportunity for this completely random process to result in significant changes over time, he says.
What to know about the new COVID variant XEC
The XEC variant is a hybrid of two Omicron subvariants, currently being monitored worldwide, says Dr. Carreno. It has been detected in several countries, and even though only a few cases have been identified in the United States thus far, she says, it’s projected to become the predominant strain in the next fall and winter seasons.
“Currently, scientists and health officials are monitoring this variant closely as it can become clinically significant, given the mutations in the virus’ spike protein—which the virus uses to infect human cells and is the target of the available vaccines,” she adds.
XEC is indeed becoming increasingly responsible for COVID cases, says Labus. However, he notes, it is still an Omicron variant and causes the same disease with the same severity as other Omicron variants.
“We have seen many variants of the Omicron virus since it first emerged nearly three years ago, and they all have caused a similar disease,” says Labus.
Symptoms of the new COVID variant XEC
Scientists currently believe that symptoms of XEC will be similar to existing variants including fever, chills, malaise, fatigue, sore throat, cough, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and shortness of breath, according to Dr. Carreno.
How to protect yourself against COVID variant XEC
“To stay safe from the XEC variant, get vaccinated, wear masks in crowded places, wash your hands often and keep your distance from sick people,” advises Raj Dasgupta, MD, Chief Medical Advisor for Fortune Recommends Health.
More specifically, vaccination remains the most effective tool to protect us against severe COVID-19 infections, says Dr. Carreno. Updated COVID-19 vaccines are expected to protect against the XEC variant, according to CDC projections, she notes.
“The 2024-2025 COVID vaccine approved by the FDA in August targets Omicron viruses including the XEC variant,” says Labus. “You can’t rely on previous doses, as your immunity wanes over time and previous vaccines don’t match what is currently circulating. It’s also a good idea to get a flu vaccine along with your COVID vaccine, as the two viruses will circulate together this winter.”
Conversation
All comments are subject to our Community Guidelines. First For Women does not endorse the opinions and views shared by our readers in our comment sections. Our comments section is a place where readers can engage in healthy, productive, lively, and respectful discussions. Offensive language, hate speech, personal attacks, and/or defamatory statements are not permitted. Advertising or spam is also prohibited.
