Yes, it’s back to the grind after the holiday season, and while we cautiously look forward to new beginnings, etc., we must not forget about our health and the health of others. The warning comes on the heels of the 2023 holiday season beginning with the advent of yet another coronavirus variant—JN. 1
So, striding into the new year, we need to look back and ponder on how much we may have exposed ourselves to not only this variant but also different kinds of flu and colds over the holidays.
Doctors advise that anyone who feels they are at risk of having contracted a virus or flu to seriously consider staying away from elderly relatives, newborns and anyone else who may be susceptible to grave illness.
The statistics
In the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 44 per cent of COVID cases in December 2023 were JN. 1. This is a 7 per cent increase from November since JN. 1 was detected in September last year, stemming from another coronavirus variant, BA.2.86.
The World Health Organization is monitoring its global occurrence closely, as the virus’ genetic changes allow for greater spread. Experts say that JN. 1 has an additional spike mutation that allows it to infect cells more easily, and thus leads to greater transmission.
In fact, over the Christmas holidays, countries like Singapore and Malaysia cautioned their public to wear masks in crowded areas and to maintain social distancing where possible to help contain the spread.
Symptoms
The symptoms are almost the same as for the first COVID-19 variant—a cough, fever, runny nose, throat ache and body aches, but has also demonstrated two new symptoms that differ from the early variants, which are anxiety and trouble sleeping, according to the UK’s Office for National Statistics (ONS).
However, as with the earlier variants, one could also be asymptomatic and be a carrier of the virus. Hence, the advised extra precaution by the medical community, following the holiday season when most people would have been out and about celebrating, shopping or visiting friends and family.
The prognosis
So far, the new variant does not seem to pose any unusual threat to the public, although people with compromised immune systems, the elderly, infants and young children are at greater risk.
While there have been some COVID-related deaths (3% of all deaths) and hospitalizations over the holiday season in the US, the rates are not alarming, according to the medical community.
The CDC said that visits to the Emergency Department due to COVID-19 were greater in older adults, infants and young children over the December holidays.
Not only coronavirus, though…
Medical experts also caution us to beware that JN.1 is not the only virus on the loose at the moment and that we should certainly be wary of types of flu, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and several other circulating viruses.
It’s not possible to say what exactly one has unless they get tested for COVID-19 (this can even be done at home via a Rapid Antigen Test or even at hospitals), but people can choose not to as long as there is no severe medical emergency and they can isolate at home until they are better.
Of course, if a person is seeking the right medication for COVID-19 or influenza, they would need to be tested first. As stated earlier, it is best if one gets tested as early as possible to begin on early medication if they live with or closely associate with the elderly, children or those whose immune systems are compromised.
A final word
Doctors say that anyone who has not yet been vaccinated can still opt to take the COVID-19 vaccines to reduce the chances of contraction and even if one does contract the virus, these vaccines reduce the chances of the person becoming extremely ill as a result.
Early research indicates that the updated COVID vaccines that were released in September 2023 have been shown to produce antibodies that are effective against JN.1. The vaccines were first developed to target the XBB.1.5 variant but can also fight the JN.1 variant, perhaps not to the extent it does with the XBB.1.5 variant, but still in a largely effective manner.
Vaccines are also available for RSV and Influenza, although one may need to check one’s eligibility by age for these vaccines.
The overarching and important piece of advice from healthcare providers is that people remain vigilant to their symptoms, stay at home to rest and drink plenty of fluids and seek early medical intervention if they get sick.
As with any transmittable disease, the best way to beat the odds is by prevention rather than cure. This means that even if you were unable to prevent yourself from getting sick, you still can prevent others from falling ill by isolating yourself until you recover. School, work and socializing can wait; your health and the health of others, cannot.
(Anouk De Silva)