Symptoms of Coronavirus Variants: How to Distinguish Delta From the Original Strain

Introduction

Coronavirus has evolved beyond the original strain, leading to various variants such as Delta. It's crucial to understand the differences in symptoms between these variants and the original strain to make informed health decisions. This article will explore how symptoms differ, the limitations in identifying specific variants, and the importance of regular testing.

Understanding Coronavirus Variants

The emergence of Delta variant highlights the evolving nature of the virus. Texas Department of Health notes the limitations in identifying specific variants through basic viral tests. To determine which variant an individual has, genomic sequencing is required, a specialized process that is not routinely performed due to the high volume of cases.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Delta variant accounts for the majority of COVID-19 cases in the U.S. This makes it highly probable that individuals with symptoms are likely infected with Delta. However, other variants like Alpha, Beta, Lambda, and Kappa are also circulating, and symptoms can overlap, leading to difficulty in distinguishing between different strains based on symptoms alone.

Symptoms of Different Variants

Alpha and Beta Variants

Patients with the Alpha variant do not carry more virus in their upper respiratory tract compared to the Beta variant, which has increased transmissibility. Common symptoms include:

Fever Cough Tiredness Loss of taste or smell Less common symptoms: Sore throat, headache, aches and pains, diarrhea, a rash on the skin, red eyes, discolored fingers or toes

Lambda and Kappa Variants

These variants present typical symptoms of COVID-19, similar to the original strain, such as:

Cough Constant high fever Headache Loss of taste and/or smell Body pain Uneasiness in breathing

Delta and Delta Plus Variants

The Delta variant and its variant, Delta Plus, exhibit symptoms more similar to severe illness. Key symptoms include:

Dry cough Tiredness Shortness of breath Abdominal pain Other symptoms: Skin rash, change in the color of the toes, sore throat, loss of taste and smell, diarrhea, constant headache, runny nose

Given the potential severity, monitoring these symptoms closely and seeking medical advice is recommended.

Initial Symptoms and Likelihood of Serious Illness

Initial symptoms can sometimes be confusing, especially when there are similar symptoms to a bad cold. The Delta variant might initially seem like a bad cold, given the lockdown and mask-wearing measures, which reduced exposure to other bugs. However, if symptoms persist beyond the first week, there is a higher risk of developing a more serious condition. For example, the initial infections described suggest that symptoms could be either Delta or a bad cold, as the symptoms overlap.

In the case of the Delta variant, there have been reports of milder symptoms, like a mild cough for a day, and more serious cases, such as hospitalization and fatality. Personal experiences can vary, but it is important to take these symptoms seriously and seek medical advice if they persist.

Final Thoughts

While symptoms can provide some clues, they are not definitive in identifying specific variants of the coronavirus. Regular testing remains crucial as genomic sequencing is not widely available. Understanding the symptoms of different variants can help individuals make informed decisions, but seeking professional medical advice is the best course of action.

Keywords: Coronavirus variants, Delta variant, symptoms, original strain