Are the symptoms any different?
Studies have shown that the new delta variant shares the primary symptoms of the original COVID-19 strain. However, this variant also presents new symptoms that differ from previous variants.
Symptoms of the delta variant include:
- Headaches
- Sore throat
- Runny nose
On top of these symptoms, you could also experience fever, continuous cough, and loss of smell or taste. However, persistent coughing and loss of taste or smell are less common in delta variant cases. Scientists are also warning people how similar the delta strain feels to a head cold or common allergies. If you think you may have contracted the B.1.617.2 lineage, contact your physician or closest health department for care instructions.
⇒*Has COVID-19 Affected our Immune Systems?
What does this mean for vaccinated people?
As of right now, cases of the delta variant are rare among fully vaccinated people. Studies show two doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine are approximately 88% effective in protecting against the strain and up to 96% effective against hospitalization. Studies have shown that the AstraZeneca and the Johnson & Johnson vaccines offer 60% protection against the strain and approximately 93% efficacy against hospitalization. However, a July study showed that the Johnson & Johnson vaccine shows a decreased efficacy over time. As of right now, vaccine makers are testing the effectiveness of booster shots against the delta variant and other COVID-19 variants. Pfizer recently announced a potential booster to be released this August.
Those who have not been fully vaccinated or have not received the vaccine altogether are at high risk of contracting the SARS-CoV-2 virus and all variant strains. In fact, unvaccinated individuals are 2.5 times more likely to contract the delta strain. Other reports show communities with low vaccination rates have higher case numbers and hospitalization rates. Children and those with underlying health conditions are also highly susceptible to the delta variant.
Want more information regarding COVID-19? Check out our other articles.
