United States: JN.1 identified as a new COVID variant has been observed by the health authorities around the world, which is gradually establishing itself as the predominant variant.
The CDC stated this strain carries similar symptoms to the prior versions of the virus, which include fever, dry cough, headaches, aches, shortness of breath, and loss of taste or smell.
However, there may be more to look out for with this new variant. A considerable number of patients who recently tested positive for the JN.1 variant have reported a series of behavioral changes, which are not officially recognized by the CDC as symptoms yet.
Varying new symptoms of COVID
Among the new symptoms, preliminary studies showed, that nearly 11 percent of newly infected patients in the UK experienced insomnia while being sick.
Although, it is yet to be established whether this lack of sleep was directly linked to the COVID-19 infection or not.
Similarly, 10.5 percent of the patients have expressed experiencing increased levels of anxiety during the course of their illness.
This surge in worry among the infected individuals is presently being attributed to potential Vitamin D deficiencies, owing to the winter season when the survey was conducted between December 7-13, as per the report from 97x.com.
In this regard, a statement from the CDC stated that “the types of symptoms and how severe they are, usually depend more on a person’s immunity and overall health rather than which variant causes the infection.”
Stay safe and get vaccinated!
CDC has advised that the updated vaccine seems to provide adequate protection against the JN.1 variant while focussing on the importance of maintaining vigilance as COVID-19 remains a potential health threat.
In the US, COVID-19 vaccination started administration on December 14, 2020. After little more than a year when the virus was first identified in November 2019, a quick rollout began for vaccination.
Do different vaccines work differently?
The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are both mRNA (messenger RNA) vaccines that trigger an immune response, and both are administered through two shots, as reported by 97x.com.
They use mRNA to instruct cells to make a harmless snippet of the spike protein that is found on the surface of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19. This protein triggers an immune response in the body, producing antibodies and protecting vaccinated people from getting infected if they are exposed to the real virus.
The Johnson & Johnson vaccine, instead of using mRNA, delivers instructions for cells with a disabled adenovirus that is not related to the coronavirus. The disabled adenovirus is unable to replicate in the body nor will it deliver a viral infection. It is given in a single injection.
Both Pfizer and Moderna vaccines have a few important differences, even though both are mRNA vaccines with similar efficacy of 95 percent and 94.1 percent respectively.
The key differences are the temperatures they’re stored at, where Moderna is kept at -4 degrees Fahrenheit, while Pfizer is at -94 degrees Fahrenheit, and the time between doses, as per the report from 97x.com.
However, the Johnson & Johnson vaccine can be kept at refrigerator temperatures for months at a time.
Are there any side effects?
Just like all medicines, side effects are a common feature of vaccines. Most COVID-19 vaccine side effects are mild, ranging from soreness at the injection site and headache to fatigue and fever. These side effects are completely normal and are a symptom of the immune response kicking in.
The Johnson & Johnson vaccine demonstrated an increased risk of a rare side effect involving blood clots with low platelets in women younger than 50. This risk was found to be far outweighed by potential benefits; after a brief pause of the vaccine in the early spring for further investigation, the vaccine was resumed on April 23, 2021, 97x.com reported.