WHAT TO WATCH OUT FOR NOW

➘ A recombinant strain is not unusual: Viruses evolve in order to overcome the defences of a body. If a person gets infected by two strains, a third strain, such as XE, can emerge

➘ Reinfection can happen: The XE variant has mutations that help it overcome previouslyacquired immunity. And so individuals can get Covid again, including those vaccinated. However, vaccines help prevent hospitalisation and death

➘ Symptoms are mild, but Long Covid remains a concern: Fever, body ache and mild upper respiratory infection are the common symptoms of XE so far, but its long-term impact remains unknown. Reports include anxiety, allergies, persisting weakness, hormonal changes, hair fall and lasting bodyache

➘ Children not at greater risk so far: Even though they haven’t been vaccinated, so far there hasn’t been a significant rise in the severity of the disease in children

PAXLOVID, PFIZER’S NEW DRUG

--It is an antiviral drug that is being manufactured by the Hyderabad-based Hetero pharma group for the Indian market

--Studies have shown it to be 89% effective in preventing hospitalisation and death. It is FDA-approved and strongly recommended by WHO.

--If prescribed by a doctor, it needs to be taken within five days from the onset of symptoms. The tablet has to be given in three doses (two tablets of nirmatrelvir and one of ritonavir) taken together, twice daily for five days

--It is made up of nirmatrelvir, which stops the virus from replicating, and ritonavir, which slows down nirmatrelvir’s breakdown so that the drug stays in the body for a longer time in high concentration