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1. How dangerous is the XBB.1.5 variant?
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), XBB.1.5 exhibits the strongest 'growth advantage' compared to all other dominant subvariants of Omicron. However, WHO states it's currently unclear whether the XBB.1.5 variant leads to more severe illness or affects hospitalization and mortality rates.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) reports that XBB.1.5 spreads rapidly due to a novel mutation called F486P, which may confer immune evasion whether through vaccination or prior COVID-19 infection. This mutation also enhances the virus' ability to invade cells, making it easier for the virus to bind to ACE2 receptors in the body. Consequently, XBB.1.5 is transmitted more efficiently to humans.
In the United States, XBB.1.5 has accounted for 41% of new COVID-19 cases in December 2022. Amesh A. Adalja, an expert from the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, states that XBB.1.5 is a sublineage of the XBB variant (a hybrid version of the BA.2 lineage of Omicron).
Dr. Adalja also notes that the XBB.1.5 variant has been appearing more frequently in Singapore as well as the northeastern United States.
Experts suggest that XBB.1.5 is highly transmissible and could be the most contagious form of COVID-19. XBB.1.5 is currently outpacing other variants in terms of transmission rate.
Dr. Thomas Russo (Chief of Infectious Diseases at the University at Buffalo, New York) explains that the XBB.1.5 variant has a mutation that allows the virus to tightly bind to ACE receptors on cells, thereby making COVID-19 more transmissible.
Data from Singapore indicates that hospital admissions due to COVID-19 have not increased despite the spread of the XBB.1.5 variant in the country. Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious disease expert at Vanderbilt University, states: 'Laboratory studies suggest that current vaccines still have the ability to protect you from severe illness and hospitalization due to COVID-19 from the new XBB.1.5 variant.'
2. Common COVID-19 symptoms associated with the XBB.1.5 variant
Dr. William Schaffner notes that as of now, it seems that the XBB.1.5 variant does not cause distinct symptoms compared to recent COVID-19 strains.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States, common COVID-19 symptoms include:
- Fever or chills.
- Cough.
- Rapid or difficulty breathing.
- Fatigue.
- Muscle aches or body pains.
- Headache.
- Loss of taste or smell.
- Sore throat.
- Stuffy or runny nose.
- Nausea or vomiting.
- Diarrhea.
According to the health study ZOE, a project involving scientists from Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, King’s College London, Stanford University School of Medicine, and the health app ZOE, the most common recent COVID-19 symptoms (including new variants of Omicron, such as XBB.1.5) include:
- Sore throat.
- Runny nose.
- Stuffy nose.
- Sneezing.
- Dry cough.
- Headache.
- Productive cough.
- Hoarseness.
- Muscle aches and pains.
- Changes in sense of smell.
3. How is COVID-19 treated when infected with the XBB.1.5 variant?
As of now, Omicron XBB.1.5 appears to be less likely to cause prolonged COVID symptoms compared to other variants. However, Dr. Schaffner points out that there's always a risk of developing prolonged COVID-19 after being infected with the virus.
Methods of treating COVID-19 for high-risk individuals when infected with the XBB variant may differ from before.
Dr. Russo stated that monoclonal antibody treatments and the monoclonal antibody drug Evusheld, designed to prevent severe COVID-19, are 'ineffective against the XBB variant'.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says Evusheld may not be effective in protecting you against the Omicron XBB.1.5 subvariant.
However, Dr. Russo believes that according to scientists, other antiviral drugs such as the COVID-19 treatment drug Paxlovid remain effective against Omicron XBB and XBB.1.5.
Overall, Dr. Schaffner advises that to protect yourself against the new XBB and XBB.1.5 variants, ensure you are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, and stay updated on booster doses and COVID-19 vaccine boosters.
Additionally, to avoid contracting COVID-19 amid the risk of the new XBB.1.5 wave, wear masks in public places, especially crowded and enclosed spaces like supermarkets.
Source: vtv.vn
