2023-12-21 18:17:23
08:14 PM Thursday 21 December 2023
Written by – Nada Sami and Muhammad Amin:
The World Health Organization warned in the past few hours of the new Corona variant JN.1, following it spread in a number of countries very quickly, which sparked a state of panic around the world, for fear of a repeat of the Covid-19 pandemic once more.
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Preliminary studies revealed that the JN.1 mutant is more transmissible than the Omicron mutant, because it contains 3 additional mutations in the spike protease, which the virus uses to enter human cells, and it can also resist coronavirus vaccines.
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In this regard, Dr. Amjad Al-Haddad, Director of the Allergy and Immunity Center at the Serum and Vaccine Institute, said that the Corona virus has not ended as some people think, because it is one of the viruses that most mutates into new strains, especially with the change of seasons.
Al-Haddad added that the new strains into which the Coronavirus mutates, including the new mutant JN.1, may be weak, but they are characterized by rapid spread and transmission of infection, in addition to their ability to resist acquired immunity, whether from vaccination or previous infections.
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The allergy consultant pointed out that it is difficult to detect infection with the JN.1 variant through symptoms, because it is very similar to viral diseases that spread in the winter, such as colds, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
According to the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC), symptoms of the JN.1 variant come in the form of:
– Fever.
– cough.
– shortness of breath.
– Exhaustion.
– Muscle pain.
– headache.
– Runny nose.
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Al-Haddad confirmed that the JN.1 mutant can infect anyone, but there are groups more susceptible to infection than others, such as the elderly, people with chronic diseases, and autoimmune patients.
According to the CDC, the risk of infection with the JN.1 variant also increases in pregnant women, those with weak immunity, people who have never received the Corona vaccine, and those who abstained from receiving the booster dose.
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The immunology expert concluded his speech by pointing out the ease of reducing the infection rate of the JN.1 variant by:
– Rebounding of the mask, especially in crowded places.
– Wash hands well with running water and soap.
– Maintain social distancing when dealing with others.
– Do not mix with infected or suspected people.
– Follow a healthy diet to strengthen the immune system.
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