‘American Covid’ distinctive ‘scratchy’ symptom to look out for as UK 5-day rule issued

The XFG strain of Covid – dubbed ‘American Covid’ and also known as Stratus – is now the dominant variant spreading across the UK, with a unique hoarseness symptom setting it apart from earlier strains, as NHS isolation guidance advises adults to stay home for five days

Thousands of people across the UK are becoming unwell with the dominant strain of Covid, XFG, nicknamed “American Covid” after rapidly sweeping through the USA. While the variant has been recognised since last year, it has now taken hold in numerous countries, with health professionals cautioning that it presents some distinctive symptoms.

Fresh data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) reveals hospital admissions linked to Covid surged by nearly 50% within a week. Moreover, certain regions of the country have witnessed far steeper rises.

Pharmacist Daniel Cheung, writing in NowPatient, highlighted a key symptom of XFG – also referred to as Stratus. He explained: “The key symptoms and most noticeable symptoms of the Stratus variant include hoarseness, scratchy/raspy voice, which is considered a unique symptom distinguishing it from other Covid strains.”

He noted additional symptoms encompass a dry cough, sore throat, fever, fatigue, muscle aches and a loss of sense of taste and smell.

GP Dr Renée Hoenderkamp told the Mail patients with Covid now report sore throats, headaches, runny noses and fatigue. She said: “In the past 10 days to three weeks in general practice, my lists have definitely changed to people with these symptoms,” reports the Express.

One woman who recently battled Covid detailed her symptoms, stating: “I was absolutely exhausted, with a temperature, cough and really painful flu-like aches in my legs and joints. There were times in the morning when I’d think: ‘I’m fine, get your act together’, but by lunchtime I’d have to go back to bed. I slept through a lot of it.”

She also revealed that her daughter “had a really bad headache, sore throat and cough, a raging temperature and was completely exhausted”. Her GP mentioned they had seen three patients with similar symptoms that day.

The NHS advises that if you exhibit Covid symptoms, you should aim to stay at home and avoid contact with others if you have a high temperature or feel too unwell to attend work, school, childcare, or carry out your usual activities. It further states that anyone under 18 who tests positive for COVID should self-isolate for three days.

Those over 18 should isolate for five days. And you should steer clear of anyone vulnerable for 10 days.

GP Dr Saira Bano, founder of SwiftDoctor, said: “A loss or change in your sense of taste or smell is still a recognised Covid symptom, but it isn’t the giveaway sign people may remember from earlier in the pandemic. It became much less common with Omicron compared with earlier variants, and an ordinary cold can also reduce your sense of smell, particularly if your nose is badly congested.

“So a change in taste or smell shouldn’t automatically be taken to mean you have Covid. Nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea can also occur with Covid and other respiratory viral infections, but they aren’t the dominant symptoms you’d normally expect with a straightforward cold. If vomiting and diarrhoea are the main problem, I’d also consider a stomach infection such as norovirus rather than immediately assuming it’s flu or Covid.”

Most qualifying adults in England can now get their NHS jab for flu and Covid. This year’s autumn Covid vaccination programme is more focused.

In England, it covers adults aged 75 and above, care home residents for older adults and people aged six months and over who have compromised immune systems.