COVID-19 FAQ

How many variants of Covid are there?

Over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, thousands of variants have been discovered, four of which are considered « variants of interest » by the World Health Organization – Alpha, Beta, Gamma and Delta, all of which have been used by scientists in such closely tracked on the website as GiSAID and CoVariants.

What is the new C.1.2 coronavirus variant?

A new variant discovered in South Africa has drawn attention for the number and type of mutations it contains and how quickly they occur. While much of the world’s focus has been on the Delta variant of the coronavirus, a new variant has been discovered in South Africa.

What are the COVID-19 variants of interest?

A variant with a specific genetic marker, changes in receptor binding, decreased neutralization of antibodies raised against previous infection or vaccination, decreased therapeutic efficacy, potential diagnostic impact, or predicted increased transmissibility or disease severity related.

How is COVID-19 different from other coronaviruses?

Coronaviruses often cause mild to moderate upper respiratory illness, such as the common cold. However, SARS-CoV-2 can cause severe illness and even death.

What is the new Covid-19 strain called?

On Monday, the World Health Organization added to its list of « variants of interest » a strain of the coronavirus called Mu, which was first identified in Colombia in January.

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What is the Delta variant of Covid-19?

The delta variant was discovered in India in October 2020. It quickly dominated after it was first reported in the US in March 2021. In fact, delta has now spread so much that it has split into several sub-variants called « delta plus. »

Is there another new Covid variant?

The World Health Organization (WHO) has added another coronavirus variant to its watch list. It is called the mu variant and is designated as the variant of interest (VOI).

Is the COVID-19 virus similar to SARS?

This novel coronavirus is similar to SARS-CoV, so the disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus was named COVID-19 (COronVIrusDisease-2019) to indicate that it was discovered in 2019.

What is the difference between COVID-19 and the common cold?

Both COVID-19 and the common cold are caused by viruses. COVID-19 is caused by SARS-CoV-2, while the common cold is most often caused by rhinoviruses. These viruses spread in similar ways and cause many of the same signs and symptoms.

Are the flu (flu) and COVID-19 caused by the same virus?

Influenza (flu) and COVID-19 are both contagious respiratory diseases, but they are caused by different viruses. COVID-19 is caused by a coronavirus infection first identified in 2019, and influenza is caused by an infection with the influenza virus.

What is the MU variant?

The Mu variant is the fifth coronavirus variant of interest that the group is monitoring. Most cases in Colombia, Chile and Peru are the variant, but there are only a few in the United States, said Stewart Ray, a professor of medicine at Johns Hopkins University.

What do variants of severe consequences mean for COVID-19?

The severe-consequence variant has clear evidence that preventive measures or medical countermeasures (MCM) have significantly reduced effectiveness relative to previously prevalent variants.

How does the new mutation of COVID-19 differ from the original strain?

People infected with the new strain, known as 614G, had higher viral loads in their noses and throats than the original strain, although they did not appear to be sicker. But they are far more contagious to others.

Is a runny nose a symptom of COVID-19?

Seasonal allergies can sometimes bring coughs and runny noses — both of which can be linked to some coronavirus cases and even the common cold — but they can also bring itchy or watery eyes and sneezing, symptoms that are common in the coronavirus outbreak. uncommon in patients.

How long do symptoms of COVID-19 last after exposure compared to the common cold?

While COVID-19 symptoms usually appear 2 to 14 days after exposure to SARS-CoV-2, symptoms of the common cold usually appear 1 to 3 days after exposure to the virus that causes the cold.

What are the similarities and differences between the symptoms of COVID-19 and the flu?

Similarities:
With COVID-19 and the flu, it can take a day or more from when a person becomes infected until symptoms of illness begin.

difference:
If a person is infected with COVID-19, they may have symptoms longer than they would with the flu.

What does the acronym SARS-CoV-2 mean?

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) stands for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. It is a virus that causes respiratory disease in humans. It passed from animals to humans in mutated forms and was first reported in an outbreak in Wuhan, China, in December 2019.

Can people who have recovered from COVID-19 become reinfected with SARS-CoV-2?

The CDC is aware of recent reports that people previously diagnosed with COVID-19 may become reinfected. These reports are understandably cause for concern. The immune response to SARS-CoV-2 infection, including the duration of immunity, is not known. Some reinfections are expected based on what we know from other viruses, including common human coronaviruses. Ongoing COVID-19 research will help determine the frequency and severity of reinfection and who may be at higher risk of reinfection. At this time, whether or not you have had COVID-19, the best way to prevent infection is to wear a mask in public, stay at least 6 feet away from others, wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, and avoid crowds and narrow spaces space.

Can a molecular test for COVID-19 give false negatives?

Molecular tests are usually highly sensitive to detect the SARS-CoV-2 virus. However, false-negative results are possible with all diagnostic tests, and the risk of false-negative results may increase when testing patients with SARS-CoV-2 genetic variants.

Is there a new variant called Mu?

The World Health Organization (WHO) has added another coronavirus variant to its watch list. It is called the mu variant and is designated as the variant of interest (VOI).

Is it possible to get reinfected with COVID-19?

Although people with SARS-CoV-2 antibodies are largely protected, some people may become infected later due to lack of immunity to disinfection. Some people who are reinfected may have a similar ability to spread the virus as those who were first infected.

Will a COVID-19 vaccine work for new mutations?

There is promising evidence that current vaccines will protect you from most variants or mutations of COVID-19 currently circulating in the United States. Certain variants may cause disease in some people after they have been vaccinated. However, if the vaccine is found to be less effective, it can still provide some protection. Researchers are monitoring how new COVID-19 variants affect how vaccines work in the real world. To learn more about vaccines and new variants, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (Last updated June 15, 2021)

How contagious is the Delta variant of COVID-19?

The Delta variant, first discovered in India, is about twice as contagious as the original virus and 60% more contagious than the Alpha variant first discovered in the UK.

Can the COVID-19 Delta variant cause more severe disease?

• Some data suggest that Delta variants may cause more severe disease in unvaccinated people than previous strains. In two different studies in Canada and Scotland, patients infected with the Delta variant were more likely to be hospitalized than those infected with the Alpha or original strains.

What are the most common symptoms of the Delta variant of COVID-19?

Fever and cough are present in both types, but headache, sinus congestion, sore throat and runny nose all appear to be more common with the Delta strain. Excessive sneezing is also a symptom. Loss of taste and smell, considered hallmark symptoms of the original virus, may occur less frequently.