Coronavirus variants: There will be ‘constant evolution’ says expert

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The new variant of coronavirus that first emerged in Kent has dominated lives across the UK since Christmas, driving up hospital admissions and forcing the government to enact tough measures. Now that variant is set to sweep across the globe, according to the estimations of Professor Sharon Peacock from the Covid-19 Genomics UK (Cog-UK) Consortium. As the virus continues to spread, unusual symptoms are coming to the fore, including a peculiar sensation in the hands and feet.

A woman has shared her first-hand experience of ‘Covid toe’ – a term that has come to mean rash on the toes or red swelling on the toes.

The Cotswolds resident has liked her condition to radiation burns from the Chernobyl nuclear disaster.

The 53-year-old said she noticed her feet were a “boiling red” colour in the shower, reports MirrorOnline.

She added: “It’s like radiation burns. I’ve never had radiation burns but I’ve seen photos and watched Chernobyl.

“I’m also feeling a horrific burning sensation, the pain is like a tourniquet. It feels like my body is exploding from the inside.”

“Long Covid” symptoms have been reported throughout the pandemic, a phenomenon that is characterised by symptoms that last weeks or months after the infection has gone.

How long it takes to recover from coronavirus is different for everybody.

“Many people feel better in a few days or weeks and most will make a full recovery within 12 weeks. But for some people, symptoms can last longer.

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As the health body explains, the chances of having long-term symptoms does not seem to be linked to how ill you are when you first get coronavirus.

“People who had mild symptoms at first can still have long-term problems,” it says.

How to respond to long Covid symptoms

You should contact a GP if you’re worried about symptoms four weeks or more after having coronavirus, says the NHS.

According to the health body, your doctor will ask about your symptoms and the impact they’re having on your life.

What are the main symptoms of coronavirus and how should I respond?

The main symptoms of coronavirus are:

• A high temperature – this means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)
• A new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or three or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual)
• A loss or change to your sense of smell or taste – this means you’ve noticed you cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal.

If you have any of the main symptoms of coronavirus, get a test to check if you have coronavirus as soon as possible.

You and anyone you live with should stay at home and not have visitors until you get your test result – only leave your home to have a test.

Anyone in your support bubble should also stay at home if you have been in close contact with them since your symptoms started or during the 48 hours before they started.

A support bubble is where someone who lives alone (or just with their children) can meet people from one other household.

How to look after yourself at home

Most people with coronavirus (COVID-19) feel better within a few weeks. You may be able to look after yourself at home while you recover.

If you have a high temperature, the NHS says it can help to:

• Get lots of rest
• Drink plenty of fluids (water is best) to avoid dehydration – drink enough so your pee is light yellow and clear
• Take paracetamol or ibuprofen if you feel uncomfortable.

There have been some news reports of anti-inflammatory painkillers, such as ibuprofen, making coronavirus worse.

The Commission on Human Medicines has now confirmed there is no clear evidence that using ibuprofen to treat symptoms such as a high temperature makes coronavirus worse.

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