An immunologist has warned that the new strain of the Covid-19 virus can cause various symptoms – including those that appear overnight.
Omicron BA.5 is a highly contagious subtype of concern as it contributes to a new wave of infections worldwide, including the United Kingdom.
Scientists have found differences with previous strains, including the ability to re-infect people weeks after Covid.
A prominent immunologist has now suggested that it could cause new symptoms among patients.
“An additional symptom of BA.5 I’ve seen this morning is night sweats,” Professor Luke O’Neill of Trinity College Dublin told an Irish radio station in mid-July.
“Not strange?” he added.
BA.5 achieves an increase in cases in many countries along with BA.4, including Europe and Australia. It has also become the dominant alternative in the United States.
Professor O’Neill said: “The disease is a little different because the virus has changed.” newstalk.
He added: “There is some immunity to that – obviously with T cells and so on – and this combination of a slightly different immune system and virus can lead to a slightly different disease, and oddly enough, night sweats is a feature.
“But more importantly, if you get vaccinated and boosted, you won’t develop a serious illness, which is the message that should continue to remind people.”
BA.5 was first detected in South Africa in February, a month after BA.4 was identified in the same country.
Since then, both have spread around the world and raised concerns about a resurgence of Covid infections.
UK coronavirus cases rose 7% to 3.8 million in the week to July 14, up from 3.3 million in the previous week, according to data from the Office for National Statistics.
The foundation said that the increase is still driven by the above-mentioned variables.
The latest numbers represent the highest estimate since late April, but are still below the record 4.9 million reached in late March.
An immunologist has warned that the new strain of the Covid-19 virus can cause various symptoms – including those that appear overnight.
Omicron BA.5 is a highly contagious subtype of concern as it contributes to a new wave of infections worldwide, including the United Kingdom.
Scientists have found differences with previous strains, including the ability to re-infect people weeks after Covid.
A prominent immunologist has now suggested that it could cause new symptoms among patients.
“An additional symptom of BA.5 I’ve seen this morning is night sweats,” Professor Luke O’Neill of Trinity College Dublin told an Irish radio station in mid-July.
“Not strange?” he added.
BA.5 achieves an increase in cases in many countries along with BA.4, including Europe and Australia. It has also become the dominant alternative in the United States.
Professor O’Neill said: “The disease is a little different because the virus has changed.” newstalk.
He added: “There is some immunity to that – obviously with T cells and so on – and this combination of a slightly different immune system and virus can lead to a slightly different disease, and oddly enough, night sweats is a feature.
“But more importantly, if you get vaccinated and boosted, you won’t develop a serious illness, which is the message that should continue to remind people.”
BA.5 was first detected in South Africa in February, a month after BA.4 was identified in the same country.
Since then, both have spread around the world and raised concerns about a resurgence of Covid infections.
UK coronavirus cases rose 7% to 3.8 million in the week to July 14, up from 3.3 million in the previous week, according to data from the Office for National Statistics.
The foundation said that the increase is still driven by the above-mentioned variables.
The latest numbers represent the highest estimate since late April, but are still below the record 4.9 million reached in late March.
Charlotte Whitmore is a contributor at Mediarunsearch.co.uk, covering a broad range of topics including news, politics, business, technology, sport, entertainment, and lifestyle. She focuses on delivering clear, balanced reporting and practical information that helps readers stay informed about current events and emerging developments. Her work highlights stories that matter to everyday audiences, with an emphasis on accuracy, relevance, and accessible journalism that keeps readers connected to the issues shaping the UK and beyond.