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Delta Variant of Covid-19

New Covid-19 Variant: Is it More Contagious?

All viruses, including SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19), constantly change through mutation. Most changes in the virus have little to no impact on its properties. But, some of these changes in the virus may affect its properties, including how easily it spreads, the associated disease severity, or the performance of vaccines, therapeutic medicines, diagnostic tools, or other public health and social measures.

The Delta variant is the variant of SARS-CoV-2 that causes more infections and spreads faster than earlier forms of the virus causing COVID-19. Vaccines help in reducing your risk of contracting the virus that causes COVID-19, including the Delta variant.


What the is Delta Variant of COVID-19?

The Delta variant or B.1.617.2, is the mutated form of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes coronavirus infection. The delta variant is associated with various changes that include:

  • Increase in transmissibility or harmful change in COVID-19 epidemiology.
  • Increase in virulence as well as change in clinical disease occurrence.
  • Decrease of the effectiveness of public health and social measures or diagnostics, vaccines, and therapeutics.



Alpha, Beta, Delta Variant of Covid-19


Delta variant has a sub-variant known as Delta Plus variant or B.1.617.2.1. The AY.1 or delta plus variant has mutation allowing the virus to better attack lung cells and potentially escape vaccines. The variant of the COVID-19 virus was first identified in India but has now been found in the U.S., U.K., and nearly a dozen other countries.

The Delta and delta plus variant is different from the Covid-19 virus as:

  • It is more contagious: If you are infected with the original virus you may pass it to about 2 other people. But, if you are infected with the Delta or delta plus variant, you spread the virus to 4–6 people, or possibly more. The Delta variant appears to be one of the easiest viruses to catch.
  • Can be spread by fully vaccinated people: As per the recent study, large amounts of the Delta variant have been found in the noses and throats of people who aren’t vaccinated as well as in people who are vaccinated. But the virus disappears more quickly if you are vaccinated. Thus, vaccinated people can spread it for a much shorter time than unvaccinated people.

The Delta and Delta plus variants are now the most common COVID-19 variant in the U.S. The variants are almost twice as contagious as earlier variants of COVID-19 and usually cause more severe illness. The unvaccinated people are at the greatest risk of transmission. Vaccinated people breakthrough infections may also spread COVID-19 to others. But, as per the recent data vaccinated people spread COVID-19 for a shorter period than do unvaccinated people. The delta or delta plus variant also might reduce the effectiveness of some monoclonal antibody treatments and the antibodies generated by a COVID-19 vaccine.


What Is Similar About the Delta Variant?

The Delta variant causes symptoms similar to those of the original coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). The steps we took to stop its spread will work for Delta and other variants. The symptoms of Delta Variant include:

Most common symptoms:



The doctor administering Covid-19 Vaccine


Less common symptoms:

  • Sore throat
  • Headache
  • Aches and pains
  • Diarrhea
  • Skin rash or discoloration of fingers or toes
  • Redness or irritation in the eyes

Serious symptoms:

  • Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath.
  • Loss of speech or mobility, or confusion.
  • Chest pain.

The kids are returning to school amid the fear of the third wave of COVID-19. Many of the kids can’t yet be vaccinated, thus it’s even more important to focus on:

  • Getting vaccinated.
  • Wearing masks.
  • Physical distancing.
  • Washing hands.
  • Testing and contact tracing.
  • Staying at home when necessary.




Research on Delta Variant Coronavirus


Some of the few important things about Delta Variant include:

Delta is more contagious than the other virus strains: The Delta variant is highly contagious, more than 2x as contagious as previous variants. In an ideal environment where no one is vaccinated or wearing masks, the average person infected with the original coronavirus strain will infect 2.5 other people. But in the same environment, the Delta variant would spread from one person to maybe 3.5 or 4 other people.

Delta variant symptoms are the same: The symptoms of the Delta variant are similar to the original version of COVID-19. It has been observed that people especially younger people are getting sicker quicker. Recent research suggests that the Delta variant grows more rapidly and at much greater levels in the respiratory tract.

The vaccinated people are either asymptomatic or have very mild symptoms, even if they contract the Delta variant. The symptoms of people with the Delta variant are more like those of a common cold, such as cough, fever, or headache, with the addition of significant loss of smell.

Delta variant is affecting unvaccinated people more: Most patients hospitalized due to Delta variant infection are people who have not received the COVID-19 vaccine. In the United States, around 97% of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 are unvaccinated. Vaccines are highly effective at preventing COVID-19 infection along with fighting against the Delta variant.

Among the areas in the United States with lower vaccination people tend to have higher COVID-19 infection rates. Health experts suggest that COVID-19 vaccines work to prevent severe disease, which may be fatal.

Delta could lead to 'hyper-local outbreaks': If the Delta variant continues to accelerate the pandemic the biggest question will be about the heightened transmissibility. In some cases, a low-vaccination town that is surrounded by high vaccination areas could end up with the virus contained within its borders, and the result could be hyper-local outbreaks.

More Covid-19 variants are yet to come. The Delta variant is the most prominent strain of COVID-19, but the Lambda variant along with other variants is also emerging. Scientists and doctors are continuing to monitor alpha, gamma, and beta variants but are spreading at much lower levels in the U.S.




Doctor Treatment Covid-19 Patient


If you are in a crowded gathering, potentially with unvaccinated people, you should wear your mask and keep social distancing. If you are unvaccinated and eligible for the vaccine, the best thing you should do is to get vaccinated.

Outlook

Some variants of Coronavirus may not be as good at spreading and might even disappear over time. Others may spread more easily or make people sicker than the original virus. Delta is currently the predominant variant of the virus in the United States. Delta variant is more contagious and can even affect fully vaccinated people. It is important to follow Covid-19 guidelines along with getting vaccinated.


If you or anyone you know is suffering from the Covid-19, our expert providers at Post Covid Centers will take care of your health and help you recover.

Call us on (469) 545-9983 to book a telehealth appointment for a home check-up.

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