Page 2 | New covid variant

rubyy73 · 2023-01-05T06:35:50+00:00

So, I have heard of a new variant that is becoming or is now dominant in USA and coming over here. From what I have read from the scientists, it's still from the omicron 'type' & not thought to be worse but maybe spread faster. At the same time on news and personal say so of a cold with bad cough that hit a lot of folk - and not sure if scare mongering talk - but twice now heard on media presenters who said they had this over xmas, that it felt like covid but didn't test positive. Then on GMT they talking about a the new covid strain not testing positive on LFTs. Just wondered if anyone else heard much about new strain. Also my head saying there are so many other viruses than covid - and think potentially scare mongering on tv presenters making suggestion a new strain not being picked up in tests. But then I know the government will be last to let us know about is this is the case! Is anyone actually testing folk for what strain they have anymore?? Just to add family (2 teen & dh) no covid we knew of 2020 or 2021, but 5 lots in 2022 (3 of those oct,nov,dec) and NONE of us ever had it at the same time or within one month of each other!! Tks

beezlebubnicky · 05/01/2023 14:07

Limesodaandice · 05/01/2023 09:34

Why do people get so irritated on here by someone starting a conversation and asking questions?

They want to bury their head in the sand and live in denial about a virus that causes immune system dysfunction, amongst other health issues. And every time you get it, you're rolling the dice. I do understand the mindset - it's a lot harder to accept that covid is still dangerous and the government isn't giving us the best public health advice, than it is to just simply pretend it's all okay.

'Restrictions' are always presented as a binary option between full lockdowns and doing nothing. When the mitigations most sensible posters are calling for are filtering indoor air, mask wearing in crowded high-risk situations indoors, etc. Seems pretty reasonable to me.

picklemewalnuts · 05/01/2023 14:08

Swissmountains · 05/01/2023 13:33

I have covid now. I am still testing totally negative even though I clearly have covid and I am really ill. No big shakes agreed for healthy people, but for those with cancer, immune issues etc it is a big deal and they will still need to be very careful, so spreading around a new variant because we have no test available to pick this up is not great for everyone.

Secondly, the 'chest infection' everyone has got, is almost certainly covid suzi888 and we won't know for sure until we can test properly again. I have a tight chest and a fever etc, no taste etc and properly unwell. Still negative.

Of course we need to remain informed and vigilant.

We can't just stop caring, covid is not yesterday's new, a new variant could have massive consequences for some people/ all of us if takes hold and hospital admissions explode - as it is being suggested by Mr Barcaly this morning.

Yes we do need to care. Sorry.

How do you know if you are testing negative? Could be flu or a different virus.

CrunchyCarrot · 05/01/2023 14:10

I have covid now. I am still testing totally negative even though I clearly have covid and I am really ill.

Then you don't have Covid. You have another virus. There are plenty about at the moment.

vodkaredbullgirl · 05/01/2023 14:13

I had tested positive to covid end of November, had no symptoms at all.

Swissmountains · 05/01/2023 14:15

picklemewalnuts · 05/01/2023 14:08

How do you know if you are testing negative? Could be flu or a different virus.

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I had the flu in November, and I have had covid three times before this, and it is exactly the same. I am wheezing and can not catch my breath as I walk up the steps, same as before. I can not taste or smell anything at all. I have a fever, headache and body chills and I feel in another world. Covid is distinctive. You know when you have it. I am on day 17 and I am still so ill.

User963 · 05/01/2023 14:22

@Swissmountains you can buy flowflex influenza LFT. Maybe you should get some of them and see if they are positive. Although day 17 would be quite late. Maybe you have pneumonia?

PAFMO · 05/01/2023 14:23

Choconut · 05/01/2023 14:00

Why are people saying it's been here since the summer? From what I read on the BBC, XBB has been here since September and XBB 1.5 is a more recent one.

XBB wasn't of concern but XBB 1.5 has developed a way to evade the immune system that makes it spread more easily than any other variant. It's not supposed to be more serious though.

That's what the BBC science article says. Which you've also referenced. Late summer. September.

ifonly4 · 05/01/2023 14:26

DD was convinced she had covid just after Xmas as whatever she had was the same as when she had covid in November. Never tested positive and neither of us have any signs of a cold, flu or covid symptoms - DH has been testing and he's negative. From this, I'm just assuming it was some sort of virus.

No point in worrying right now. I read earlier that we'll know a bit more at the end of the month.

Bubblesdublin · 05/01/2023 17:03

I believe its called krakon or similar. Meant to very transmissable.

IncessantNameChanger · 05/01/2023 17:05

Me and ds had all the symptoms of covid and a lingering cough. Convinced it was our third go at covid but negative LFT.

Either that or covid is much like all the other chesty viruses now that it's irrelevant

Nottodaty · 05/01/2023 17:14

It’s hard for me, the impact of lockdown impacted my family so much more than covid ever did. Even with my Dad admitted into hospital on Christmas Eve 2020 very poorly with it.

Nieces and Nephews education all massively impacted - uni experiences rocked and confidence knocked, 2 left college without finishing and completely unsure what to do next, neither have experience of exams. My own daughter mental health rocked. Loss of jobs and income for members of family.
Couldn’t spend good time with my Grandad before he passed away with cancer.

while I know long covid is an issue and for people it can really affect them so I’m not lacking sympathy but the thought of another lockdown etc gives me anxiety.

Years ago I caught a virus and had a long term impact from it - precovid but no one mentioned we all needed to lock down for that virus in 2016.

secretllama · 05/01/2023 17:38

Bubblesdublin · 05/01/2023 17:03

I believe its called krakon or similar. Meant to very transmissable.

Oh for goodness sake... kraken 🤣🤣

Limesodaandice · 05/01/2023 18:51

Rolypops · 05/01/2023 13:14

Lockdown was deeply difficult and distressing for a lot of people, many just can't abide the idea of any restrictions coming back into force. Even as a disabled person who had to shield for eighteen months I can't really blame them. Unless people literally start dropping dead d in public I can't see any meaningful restrictions coming into place anyway.

HOWEVER, this is the covid topic so the eye rolling emojis etc aren't really warranted. If discussing covid annoys you so much just...don't come on to this particular part of the site?

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So is just reading a thread like this enough to freak people out then, to the point where they respond rudely and just put eye roll emojis? I’ll read the OP again but I’m pretty sure they weren’t calling for lockdowns. I just find it hard to imagine that reading this thread would cause me to be so triggered, but that’s mumsnet for you.

Limesodaandice · 05/01/2023 18:52

beezlebubnicky · 05/01/2023 14:07

They want to bury their head in the sand and live in denial about a virus that causes immune system dysfunction, amongst other health issues. And every time you get it, you're rolling the dice. I do understand the mindset - it's a lot harder to accept that covid is still dangerous and the government isn't giving us the best public health advice, than it is to just simply pretend it's all okay.

'Restrictions' are always presented as a binary option between full lockdowns and doing nothing. When the mitigations most sensible posters are calling for are filtering indoor air, mask wearing in crowded high-risk situations indoors, etc. Seems pretty reasonable to me.

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I agree with every word you said here.

grapehyacinthisactuallyblue · 05/01/2023 19:21

I've read about it a while back, and it was already in UK at that point. So, I think there are nothing to panic about.

Kcc73 · 08/01/2023 14:53

AllThatFancyPaintsAsFair · 05/01/2023 09:11

Then on GMT they talking about a the new covid strain not testing positive on LFTs

Is GMT the same as GMB? Dr Hilary was quite clear that he sees no reason that the tests will be less effective.

What are you wanting people to tell you?

I posted before hearing what Dr Hiliary said. It was the presenters who were saying it

SabbatWheel · 08/01/2023 15:01

Suzi888 · 05/01/2023 08:24

Never mind covid, the chest infection currently going around is wiping out my work colleagues!

Too true. My mum was in hospital before Christmas and tested pos for Covid, bloods said she had flu and chest xray showed a chest infection. Triple whammy.
She’s really quite ill and will be for some time and she is elderly.
I wish those who she caught covid and flu from had stayed at home 🥺

MichaelFabricantWig · 08/01/2023 15:49

SabbatWheel · 08/01/2023 15:01

Too true. My mum was in hospital before Christmas and tested pos for Covid, bloods said she had flu and chest xray showed a chest infection. Triple whammy.
She’s really quite ill and will be for some time and she is elderly.
I wish those who she caught covid and flu from had stayed at home 🥺

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How do you know she didn’t catch them in hospital?

hope she’s well soon

SirMingeALot · 08/01/2023 16:47

'Restrictions' are always presented as a binary option between full lockdowns and doing nothing. When the mitigations most sensible posters are calling for are filtering indoor air, mask wearing in crowded high-risk situations indoors, etc. Seems pretty reasonable to me.

Whether they're reasonable depends on whether you want them to be actual restrictions or not. Any attempt to make mask wearing law in public spaces again in the UK is the opposite of sensible, and nobody who advocates for it ever addresses the reality that we do not have a population who are willing and able to wear high quality, well fitted masks.

SabbatWheel · 08/01/2023 17:08

MichaelFabricantWig · 08/01/2023 15:49

How do you know she didn’t catch them in hospital?

hope she’s well soon

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Err, because she had to go to AnE with breathing difficulties, a high temperature and confusion and was diagnosed after a 12 hour stay which included the covid test, bloods and an xray 🤷‍♀️