The new strain of Covid-19, Pirola has slowly been spreading across the UK. As reported by Express, the number of Pirola cases is now officially at 34. The variation of Omicron has experts worried due to the amount of mutations it has gone through.
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BA.2.86 has 30 more mutations in the spike protein compared to previous strains of Covid-19. This means that Pirola could potentially be more transmissible than before. An expert has weighed in with symptoms to look out for, once again.
Pirola symptoms could be more intense than other strains
Dr Chris Papadopoulos, Principal Lecturer in Public Health at the University of Bedfordshire, revealed that due to the mutations in the spike protein, the symptoms for Pirola could be ‘particularly intense’ compared to other strains of Covid-19. He told Express:
It's difficult to differentiate a headache specifically caused by the Pirola variant from those caused by other strains or common illnesses.
Adding:
[But] there's a possibility that headaches, or any other symptoms, could be particularly intense due to the high number of mutations in the spike protein.
Read more:Health Officer says to get your ‘masks ready' amid rising Covid cases in this country
It's approaching two years since I had my last COVID-19 booster vaccine, because they're not available in the UK unless you meet one of these specific criteria. Since then, I've been infected and developed long-term physical disabilities as a result, yet I still don't qualify: pic.twitter.com/0Xo82hU0k3
— mo 🫐🌻 saber boy (@cherismomish) September 13, 2023
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The symptom to consider for the Pirola strain
As reported by Express, the Zoe Covid Study App has revealed that headaches are ‘one of the earliest signs’ and tend to affect those infected at ‘the very start of the illness’.
However, it can be hard to determine whether the headache is Covid-19 or something else as it is a common symptom of many illnesses. According to Express, your headache could be linked to Covid-19 if it fits the following criteria:
- Be moderately to severely painful
- Feel pulsing, pressing or ‘stabbing’
- Occur across both sides of the head rather than in one area
- Last for more than three days
- Be resistant to regular painkillers.
If you are unsure, it is best to take a Covid-19 test and limit contact with others.
Sources used:
Express: ‘Professor shares Covid Pirola symptom that could be 'particularly intense' - how to spot’
