Has Fornax already reached Poland? Prof. Kuchar: We cannot pretend that COVID-19 has completely disappeared

As he says in an interview with Wprost.pl, prof. Ernest Kuchar from the Medical University of Warsaw, we cannot pretend that COVID-19 has completely disappeared. Poland is dominated by the XBB.1.5 variant, commonly known as the Kraken. In the UK, US and Western Europe, most infections are currently caused by a new sub-option of Omicron EG.5.1, the so-called Eris. The other two sub-variants are considered the most worrying in the current situation: BA2.86, dubbed Pirola, and FL1.5.1, dubbed Fornax.

Subvariant of Fornax. Alarm messages

Fornax already accounts for 13.3 percent of all COVID-19 cases in the US, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). According to the expert, the reports coming from the US are alarming. Since the beginning of September, the number of hospitalizations and deaths has increased by 20 percent.

– We have flights from the USA at least several times a week. So these troubling options won’t reach us if they haven’t already. And it will certainly be very contagious. We must also remember that each subsequent mutation of the virus can get out of control of our acquired immunity and become resistant to both previously made vaccinations, and natural immunity after infection may not be enough, especially since it disappears over time, says Prof. Ernest Kuchar.

In Poland, the largest wave of infections can occur in autumn. This is facilitated by the return from vacation, being in large crowds, for example, in schools, as well as cold weather. Lower temperatures mean we are more likely to be in closed, poorly ventilated spaces, which also favors infections.

“Staying in rooms with central heating dries out mucous membranes, making us more susceptible to respiratory infections. Therefore, it is worth knowing what the symptoms of the disease are and, if they occur, stay in isolation or wear a mask, points out prof. Prepare.

What are the symptoms of Fornax and Pirola?

The most common symptoms of the Pirola and Fornax subvariants include:

• sore throat,

• runny nose,

• stuffy nose,

• wet or dry cough

• hoarseness

• headache.

A complication of the infection can be inflammation of the paranasal sinuses, which can be accompanied by a headache and a persistent, debilitating cough, especially worse at night.

Don’t underestimate COVID-19 - it threatens with long-term complications

As the expert explains, the trend of infectious diseases, including COVID-19, is that over time they soften, but become more contagious. Are they becoming less dangerous?

– It should be remembered that coronavirus is a new disease about which we still know little. However, we know that after infection with SARS-CoV-2, symptoms can persist for a long time (so-called long covid) and affect various organs. Dangerous complications may occur, such as thromboembolic changes, complications of the nervous system (brain fog), the immune system (chronic fatigue syndrome). Recall that each subsequent infection with SARS-CoV-2 exacerbates these symptoms. Therefore, infection with SARS-CoV-2 should not be underestimated, says prof. Prepare.

Who is most vulnerable to COVID-19?

Although initially children did not often get sick with COVID-19, today they are also at risk of infection. “Fortunately, most childhood illnesses are relatively mild. However, they also have complications after the disease. We dealt, for example, with multisystem inflammatory syndrome as a complication after COVID-19 in children, with thrombosis and diabetes, the expert says.

Severe illness, hospitalizations and deaths are primarily at risk for the elderly, immunocompromised people and comorbidities. According to the expert, these people should take another booster dose of the vaccine.