Symptoms of New Covid Variant KP.3 Announced

KP.3 is one of the FLiRT variants of SARS-CoV-2, named due to amino acid mutations in the spike protein. The human immune system can recognize these spike proteins, whether naturally or through vaccination, but the virus survives by evolving into different forms.

Thus, new variants appear regularly. KP.3 is the latest in a long series, all deriving from JN.1, a variant that appeared earlier this year.

MOST DOMINANT VARIANT IN THE U.S.

Rosa Norman, a spokesperson for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), told USA Today, "KP.3 is estimated to account for 16-37% of all SARS-CoV-2 viruses in the United States."

However, this does not necessarily mean a surge in cases. Norman added, "Most core COVID-19 indicators remain at low levels nationally, so the total number of infections caused by this lineage will be low."

WHAT ARE THE NEW VARIANT'S SYMPTOMS?

The list of possible symptoms for KP.3, as identified by the CDC, mirrors those of the previous JN.1 variant:

• Fever/chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath
• Fatigue
• Muscle aches
• Headache
• Loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Runny nose
• Nausea/vomiting
• Diarrhea

The CDC stated, "Symptoms may vary with new COVID-19 variants and can differ from person to person. They can also appear within two weeks of infection."

WILL VACCINES BE EFFECTIVE AGAINST THE NEW VARIANT?

Epidemiologist Adrian Esterman told Newsweek that he hopes updated vaccines, set to be released in the fall, will also be effective against the KP.3 lineage.

Esterman announced, "A new vaccine, based on JN.1 or one of the FLiRT sub-variants, offering much better protection, will be released around September."