New XEC Covid variant: What are the symptoms and is it spreading in the UK?
www.bbc.com
XEC has some new mutations that might help it spread this autumn, scientists say.

People have started catching a new Covid variant that could soon take off and become the dominant type, according to scientists.

Identified in Germany, in June, cases of the XEC variant have since emerged in the UK, US, Denmark and several other countries, say users on X, formerly known as Twitter.

It has some new mutations that might help it spread this autumn, although vaccines should still help prevent severe cases, experts say.

  • bizarroland@fedia.io
    20·
    2 months ago

    Why are they naming covid variants like they’re video game consoles or 1980s IBM knockoff PCS?

    Yo dude, I got the new xec covid! Which one do you have?

    Oh man, I only have the Corona Omicron…

  • Ghostalmedia@lemmy.worldEnglish
    12·
    2 months ago

    I’ll be interesting to see what efficacy of the newer vaccines will be like with this new variant.

    Got my annual covid + flu combo pack 2 weeks ago. I got shit to do, so anything that can help me avoid a bug, or reduce infection severity, is a plus.

    • Bustedknuckles@lemmy.worldEnglish
      3·
      2 months ago

      My combo is today. How we’re your side effects from the vaccine? I’ve mostly been fine with them but last combo knocked me out

      • edric@lemm.eeEnglish
        4·
        2 months ago

        Not the person you replied to but I got my combo shot 2 weeks ago and my arm was just sore for 2-3 days. I had a very slight (barely noticeable) fever a couple of hours after the shot but it was gone the next day.

      • WoahWoah@lemmy.worldEnglish
        51·
        2 months ago

        My arm got sore and I felt really rundown for a day, then I was fine. Most people I’ve talked to hand said basically the same thing: minor or no side effects. One person said they got sick for five days, but I feel like they probably just got a coincidental cold, but who knows.

      • Ghostalmedia@lemmy.worldEnglish
        3·
        2 months ago

        I was fine, but I’m also pretty diligent about my seasonal vaccines, and I think my body doesn’t even blink anymore. I haven’t missed a flu shot in decades and I have had every Pfizer covid shot.

        That said, my wife felt kind of “meh” during next evening. Nothing as bad as when the shots were new and her immune system had to attack something brand new.

      • Mouselemming@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
        3·
        2 months ago

        Got mine yesterday, can hardly even feel a twinge in my arm, no symptoms as yet. It was the Pfizer COVID, which uses a smaller dose. I’ve had stronger reactions with the Moderna, but I felt extra-protected. I read somewhere on the internet that it’s good to switch it up, but who knows.

        • edric@lemm.eeEnglish
          2·
          2 months ago

          I’ve had Moderna since the beginning but got Pfizer this time because it was the only option available (Moderna was a week away from arriving at the time), and I wanted to get it asap because I was attending a conference in 2 weeks. I too heard it’s good to switch it up, but I feel like I’m more protected with Moderna because of the stronger immune response I have from their dose.

      • Cptmurph616@lemmy.caEnglish
        2·
        2 months ago

        I did the combo on Saturday afternoon. Woke up Sunday with the chills, a pounding headache, and heavy fatigue that lasted for about 6 hours.

        Happens every time I do the combo, but it’s worth it to knock ‘em both out and have the immunity.

      • bizarroland@fedia.io
        2·
        2 months ago

        I’ve been getting a booster shot every year and last year had me sick for 3 Days running a fever.

        I got so delirious that apropos of nothing I had a hallucination of Dante’s inferno and was carried all the way to the base of the mountain that leads to salvation and was told that I have to overcome my seven deadly sins in order to be allowed to take the first step onto the mountain.