GP highlights key differences between XEC Covid variant and flu

A GP has highlighted crucial differences between Covid-19 and flu – and urged people to get vaccinated as she warned of the risks posed by the new strain of Covid spreading across Europe.

Dr Helen Wall, a Bolton GP and clinical director of population health in Greater Manchester, emphasised the importance of getting jabbed to combat a so-called ‘tripledemic’ of Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), Covid-19, and flu this winter.

Dr Wall has observed a rise in respiratory illnesses, with GPs seeing an increasing number of cases as the new XEC Covid variant spreads.

Researchers believe this strain has a growth advantage, spreading more quickly than other circulating variants, and expect it to become dominant in the coming months.

Dr Wall noted that recent Covid cases appear more flu-like than earlier strains, with patients experiencing high temperatures, coughs, body aches, and headaches, and described the virus as exhausting people, leaving them feeling “wiped out”.

She continued: “We could well be seeing the new Covid variant in practice.

“It seems more flu-like than previous strains, with symptoms such as a high temperature, cough, and body aches. While past variants caused more cough and cold symptoms, this one seems to be leaving people completely drained.”

While it is often difficult to differentiate between Covid and flu due to overlapping symptoms, Dr Wall pointed out a key difference: those with flu tend to be “extremely unwell” and bed-bound.

She explained: “True flu will often leave you in bed, unable to function, whereas Covid can sometimes be milder, allowing people to go about their day – unknowingly spreading the virus to others.”

With the winter season approaches, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has recommended that adults over 65, those in care homes, and people with underlying health conditions aged six months to 64 years be offered both the Covid and flu vaccines.

Frontline health and social care workers are also eligible for both vaccinations.

This year, the NHS is offering the new respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine, alongside the Covid and flu jabs, in an effort to reduce pressure on health services during the ‘tripledemic’.

Dr Wall highlighted a worrying trend of fewer people getting vaccinated in Greater Manchester, stressing the need for more people to take up the offer of vaccines.

She explained: ““We only know about the most severe cases, those in hospitals where testing is still happening.

“There may be milder cases circulating in the community that people aren’t aware of because they haven’t tested.

“That’s why it’s crucial to stay on top of the vaccine programme so we’re prepared for whatever winter brings.”

The downturn in vaccinations in recent years is concerning, but Dr Wall emphasised the importance of getting vaccinated to stay protected against the spread of Covid-19, flu, and RSV this winter.