FLiRT: the new Covid-19 variant detected in the US

Those assuming that Covid-19 is merely a distant memory could be gravely mistaken, as a new variant known as 'FLiRT' is swiftly spreading across the United States, signaling ongoing challenges with the pandemic.

According to the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA), 'FLiRT' is a variant of Omicron JN.1. Specifically, they would be the KP.2 and KP 1.1 mutations.

In fact, the KP.2 variant currently accounts for 25% of infections throughout the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That is, it has become the dominant variant.

The problem with these new variants, according to the IDSA, is that they are much more infectious than the previous Omicron variants, which would be multiplying infections throughout the country.

Of course, despite the increase in transmission, the IDSA confirms that the symptoms are similar to the previous variants.

Sore throat, congestion, tiredness, headache, cough, fever, joint pain, respiratory complications, diarrhea, even the loss of taste and smell that also seemed forgotten.

Obviously, the severity of the symptoms will depend on the circumstances of each person, the health conditions they have and the state of their immune system.

From the IDSA they point out that the rate of contagion could lead to a new wave of infection this summer and, again, they warn that those who have not been vaccinated and the most vulnerable people are at greater risk.

Of course, for the moment, the United States has not recorded a notable increase in hospitalizations, indicating that infected people only suffer mild symptoms.

In fact, medical authorities aim not to panic, but to be alert, so the public takes precautions and, if in doubt, take a test and get vaccinated for those who have not done so.

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