Symptoms of COVID-19’s Delta Variant Depend on Vaccination Status, Experts

The COVID-19 Delta variant is now predominant almost across the globe. It accounts for most cases in Kenya, according to the Ministry of Health.

The COVID-19 Delta variant was first discovered in India in December 2020 and has since grown to become a serious cause for worry because it spreads quickly and easily.

Originally known as the B.1.617.2, the Delta variant may make vaccines less effective and may reduce the effectiveness of some monoclonal antibody treatments.

However, experts have noted that the symptoms of the virus differ greatly between vaccinated and unvaccinated people. But how do you know whether you have the Delta variant or a different type of coronavirus?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other major health organizations haven’t exactly parsed out the symptoms of COVID-19 variants from the original strain. As of now, the widely known symptoms include:

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

According to William Schaffner, M.D., an infectious disease specialist and professor at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, it is very hard to tell the difference between the Delta variant and any other SARS-CoV-2 strain.

So, regardless of the variant, any of the symptoms above could be a sign of COVID-19 illness.

ALSO READ: COVAX, World Bank to Accelerate Vaccine Access for Developing Countries

Other experts, however, have stated that the early symptoms associated with the Delta variant have shifted slightly compared to the original strain of the virus.

“Delta seems to be more likely to cause a stuffy nose, sore throat, and headache, while the original strain caused more cough, shortness of breath, and loss of taste and smell,” says Richard Watkins, M.D., an infectious disease physician, and professor of internal medicine at the Northeast Ohio Medical University.

But the symptoms appear to become more severe, particularly in those who have not received a vaccine, as indicated by the rising cases of the Delta variant across the globe.

In fact, the CDC has once again updated its mask guidelines, recommending that fully vaccinated people wear masks indoors in areas with “substantial” or “high” COVID-19 transmission.

Symptoms of a Breakthrough Infection with the Delta Variant

According to Prevention.Com, a breakthrough infection refers to a person who has detectable levels of SARS-CoV-2 in their body at least 14 days after they’ve been fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

These cases are expected, as the vaccines are not 100 percent effective in preventing infection but are still considered rare.

“Most breakthrough infections do not cause disease—they are without symptoms,” Dr. Adalja says. “The ones that cause symptoms are generally very mild.”

If you do have symptoms as a fully vaccinated person, though, it would likely “feel like a mild cold,” Dr. Schaffner says. “Those breakthrough infections don’t progress. The vaccine prevents that from happening.”

That’s because, in those who have received the vaccine, the immune system has already been primed to recognize and fight the virus; antibodies are quick to get to work, staving off serious illness before it can begin.

What should you do if you suspect you have COVID-19?

Because it is impossible to know if you have the Delta variant or another strain of COVID-19 until you are tested, you’ll need to isolate yourself from others and call your doctor if you experience any of the symptoms above, just to be safe.

Dr. Schaffner stresses that getting vaccinated is the best way to protect yourself and those around you from COVID-19 – which is now responsible for 3,895 deaths in Kenya. The vaccines prevent severe symptoms, he says. “But if you’re unvaccinated, you’re just as at risk of getting serious illness as you were with the original strain.”

This article is accurate as of press time. However, as the COVID-19 pandemic rapidly evolves and the scientific community’s understanding of the novel coronavirus develops, some of the information may have changed since it was last updated. Ensure that you stay updated by visiting online resources provided by the CDC, WHO, and the Ministry of Health to stay informed on the latest news. Always talk to your doctor for professional medical advice.

Source: Yahoo News