New variant concern in Covid: “XEC could be too dominant, it is worth protecting the vulnerable population”

Speaking about XEC, the new variant of Covid-19 seen in European countries and Russia, Chest Diseases Specialist Prof. Dr. Sinem Iliaz said, “Its effects are similar to the previous ones, it mostly causes upper respiratory tract infection symptoms. We occasionally see an increase in our cases in the fall and winter periods. Each new variant spreads faster than the previous one, it is useful to try to protect the sensitive population. This variant can be very dominant, it can be seen all over the world, but I hope we will not return to the old days.”

There is concern about the new variant of Covid-19, which emerged in the Wuhan region of China in 2019 and caused a worldwide outbreak. While the “XEC” variant, which is stated to be a subgroup of Omicron, is seen in European countries and Russia, experts made statements regarding the variant and its effects. Stating that there is no statement on whether the variant has been detected in Turkey, Prof. Dr. Sinem Iliaz from the Department of Chest Diseases at Biruni University Hospital and Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology Specialist. Prof. Dr. Müberra Hraloğlu pointed out that the variant spreads rapidly in the countries where it is seen, but mostly has a mild course.

“Vaccines are also effective against this variant”

Speaking about the characteristics of “XEC” and other variants, Chest Diseases Specialist Prof. Dr. Sinem Iliaz said, “Its effects are similar to the previous ones, it mostly causes upper respiratory tract infection symptoms. Generally, we do not see pneumonia very often, especially pneumonia was the reason why patients lost their lives during the flare-up period of the pandemic. It is not that frequent now, but it is not to the extent that it never happens. It can still affect people with very weak immune systems, the vulnerable population, it can cause pneumonia, but it can be said to have a milder course in general. In the fall and winter periods, we see an increase in our cases from time to time. Not every case is tested, especially since sometimes the course is very mild, but we are guessing that there may be something related to covid. At the moment, it is not very scary for us, but I can say that it is like a normal viral infection outbreak. Each new variant spreads faster than the previous one. This variant can be very dominant, it can be seen all over the world, this is not a problem. It causes it to spread more frequently in the family, especially in closed environments. There are general measures to prevent this. Hand washing, ventilating the rooms, paying attention to the distance a little more can be useful. Vaccines can be said to be effective against this variant, but the effectiveness of those vaccines decreases slightly when the duration is a little longer. Our patient density has started to increase with the opening of schools these days, and children will be carriers at an even higher rate in the coming days. It may be good for the elderly and people with additional patients to be a little more distant from young children because children will get sick very often during this period. Not sending sick children to school can also help protect other children and prevent the epidemic from accelerating.”

“It is useful to try to protect the vulnerable population”

Pointing out that there is an increase in upper respiratory tract infections in certain periods every year, Prof. Dr. Iliaz said, “We expect the annual flu to increase around December, that is why we recommend vaccination in October and November. It will increase, but I do not expect it to be like before. It is useful to be calm, I hope we will not return to the old days, and as this variant changes, as its name differs, the rate of spread increases, but for now, it seems that the virus has a milder course. So let's not be too anxious, but it is also useful to try to protect the vulnerable population. I especially want people who are sick to use masks, when they are in crowded environments, those environments should be well ventilated, people should eat a balanced diet and consume plenty of fluids are things we can pay attention to during this period. Covid is currently much milder than in the past, and this variant does not seem to be much different from the others in terms of the course of the disease.”

“It seems to be the dominant type”

Speaking about the new variant, Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology Specialist. Dr. Müberra Hraloğlu said, “The newly spoken XEC is the variant that is now common in 27 countries. It is a subtype of the Omicron variant, and it comes with similar complaints. Sore throat, fatigue, fever, fever, muscle aches, weakness. There is not a very different situation. There is not even a distinguishing feature that distinguishes Covid from other upper respiratory infections because it is not severe today. Since most of us are now immunized either by vaccination or by the disease we have had, we can no longer distinguish it from other upper respiratory tract infections. This variant is said to spread a little faster. It seems that Covid will actually be the dominant type now. It was first seen in Germany in June and then quickly spread to 27 countries. It proceeds like other upper respiratory tract infections, severe cases, but in immunosuppressive patients, this happens in patients such as elderly patients, cancer, HIV patients, I do not think there will be a closure. If those who are sick pay attention to themselves and their environment, we will prevent many diseases. If we wear a mask while riding public transportation, prevent our secretions from spreading around, pay attention to hand hygiene and ensure that the environment we are in is ventilated, we will reduce the risk. At the moment, the explanations are that previous vaccinations are also effective in this variant. With the opening of schools, these diseases will start to spread due to the fact that children miss each other and establish close contacts and we enter more closed environments. I think that wearing masks for those who are sick will prevent other people from getting sick.”

“If skin lesions develop, let's definitely apply to the hospital”

Making statements about the monkeypox that has recently come to the agenda, Uzm. Dr. Hraloğlu said, “Monkeypox is actually a disease transmitted by close contact, if skin lesions develop, we should definitely apply to the hospital so that we can intervene early and separate our patient from the society early. It is not something that spreads quickly like other upper respiratory tract infections. If we isolate such a patient from our environment, we prevent the spread.”