The COVID XEC Variant, initially seen in Europe, is now spreading across the U.S., with cases reported in states like New York, California, and South Dakota.
But should you be worried? Experts suggest that while XEC spreads quickly, it’s not showing any signs of being more deadly or causing unique symptoms.
In this Article-
How Does the COVID XEC Variant Spread?
The COVID XEC Variant quickly spread in countries like Denmark, Germany, and the Netherlands over the summer. The same could happen in the U.S., but early reports suggest that the variant is no more dangerous than current strains. However, experts warn that XEC could still become the next dominant COVID variant.
While it spreads rapidly, there’s no evidence that COVID XEC Variant causes more severe illness than other variants. The most dominant COVID strain in mid-September was KP.3.1.1, but XEC cases have already been identified in multiple states.
Is COVID XEC Variant More Contagious?
The XEC variant is being described as “quite contagious” by William Schaffner, MD, an infectious disease expert from Vanderbilt University. However, this doesn’t mean it’s more threatening than existing variants. According to experts, XEC seems to be “more of the same” when it comes to the behavior of COVID-19.
Does the New Variant Cause Any New Symptoms?
Here’s the good news: experts say that there are no unique symptoms tied to the XEC variant. If you catch XEC, you’ll likely experience familiar COVID symptoms like fever, chills, runny nose, cough, body aches, and fatigue.
Symptoms to Watch Out For:
Fever or chills
Cough
Shortness of breath
Body aches
Loss of taste or smell
Sore throat
Nausea and vomiting
New COVID Vaccines Offer Protection Against XEC Variant
Although the XEC variant is new, it belongs to the Omicron family, meaning the latest COVID vaccines should still provide strong protection. While the vaccines may not be as effective as they were against older strains, experts believe they will significantly reduce the risk of hospitalization, severe illness, and death.
Dr. Thomas Russo’s Take:
“The vaccine is still likely to offer protection against severe illness and hospitalization, even with XEC circulating.”
Should You Be Concerned About XEC?
While the rise of XEC might sound alarming, experts emphasize that it’s part of the normal evolution of COVID. New variants will continue to emerge, but that doesn’t mean each one will be worse than the last.
Dr. Amesh Adalja of Johns Hopkins explains: “One variant is always going to rise, and another will fall. This is how respiratory viruses evolve.”
What You Can Do to Stay Safe
Even though XEC is new, the advice remains the same:
If you test positive for COVID, stay home and avoid contact with others, especially vulnerable populations.
Talk to your doctor about antiviral treatments like Paxlovid if you’re at high risk of severe disease.
Emergency Symptoms to Watch For:
Difficulty breathing
Chest pain
Confusion
Trouble staying awake
If you experience any of these, seek medical attention immediately.
The XEC variant is spreading, but there’s no reason to panic just yet. It’s part of the natural progression of the COVID virus, and current vaccines still offer significant protection. Stay informed, get vaccinated, and take precautions to protect yourself and others.
SOURCES–
CDC: “COVID Data Tracker,” “2024-2025 Respiratory Disease Season Outlook.”
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Symptoms of COVID 19
Health- New XEC COVID Variant
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