In many corners there is more coughing and sniffling – it’s not just colds that cause problems, one or two people are lying flat with a corona infection. Various Omicron variants are currently rampant. Including BA 2.86, also called Pirola. But in addition to the well-known corona symptoms such as loss of smell and fever, more unusual symptoms can also occur when infected with Pirola.
There are currently only a few infections with BA 2.86 in Germany. So far, the Omicron variant has been discovered 16 times in Germany, reports the Robert Koch Institute in its current weekly report. A total of 50 new infections were reported for the last two weeks (week 40/41). Most corona infections are caused by Omicron mixed variants.
Despite the few infections, Pirola is under the observation of researchers. Because: Compared to its ancestor BA.2, Pirola has more than 30 mutations in the spike protein. An unusually high number of mutations. The more mutations a variant has, the easier it is for it to evade immunity from a previous infection or vaccination. The US health authority CDC therefore assumes that Pirola is more capable of infecting people despite previous Sars-CoV-2 disease or vaccination. However, Pirola is not a completely new variant, but rather a sub-form of Omicron. The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified the variant as a “variant under observation”. This is the lowest of the three warning levels for corona variants.
In addition to the common corona symptoms such as sneezing, sore throat, fatigue, high fever, runny nose and changes in the sense of smell and taste, other symptoms also occur with the Pirola variant. Skin rashes, changes in the mouth or tongue such as ulcers, diarrhea and itchy eyes are among these, according to patient information in the UK.
Anyone who has caught a respiratory infection, which includes Sars-CoV-2, should stay at home for three to five days if possible, or until the symptoms have improved significantly, advises the Federal Center for Health Education. Contact with other people should be limited in order not to infect them. Anyone who has a positive corona test should avoid contact with particularly vulnerable people ten days after the positive result – i.e. older people and people with previous illnesses for whom an infection with Covid-19 can be particularly dangerous.
Sources: RKI weekly report week 41, patient information GB, Federal Center for Health Education, CDC, Yale Medicine, WHO
