·The symptoms of Eris are
similar to previous strains of the virus, but Eris may be able to more
easily elude antibodies that people have developed from previous
infection or vaccines.
·An updated booster shot, available in Fall 2023, may help protect
people from Eris.
·Antiviral medications are still proving to be effective in shortening
the length and severity of COVID-19, including subvariants like Eris.
We’re not done with COVID just yet.
There’s a new COVID-19 subvariant to watch (and protect yourself from):
The new variant EG.5 —dubbed “Eris”—is now the dominant strain globally,
with there being a noticeable spike in infections over the past four
weeks, says the World Health Organization.
About 20.6% of new COVID-19 cases are thought to be caused by EG.5,
according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC), a significant jump from 7.5% during the first week of July.
So what should we expect from Eris as far as virality, symptoms and
long-term effects? We're breaking all that down, plus how it compares to
the last headline-making XBB.1.5 (a.k.a. “Kraken”) subvariant that
circulated earlier this year.
New #COVID19 variant of interest: EG.5.
— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) August 9, 2023
Formerly a variant under monitoring, WHO has now designated this a variant of interest.
There has been a steady increase in this variant’s prevalence. As of 7 August 2023, over 7000 sequences have been shared from 51 countries.
More… pic.twitter.com/DlDdAPYMos
What is EG.5, or the “Eris” variant?
EG.5 is a descendant of Omicron,
just like XBB.1.5 was. This means the SARS CoV-2 virus continues to
evolve, and Eris is just the latest mutation to keep an eye on. And with
COVID-19 testing rates and reporting no longer as closely tracked like
they were during the height of the pandemic, it’s especially important
to take steps to protect yourself from getting sick whenever a new
variant of concern begins to swirl.
What are the symptoms of EG.5?
The symptoms of Eris “are
similar to other strains of Covid,” Jacob Teitelbaum, MD, a
board-certified internist of integrative medicine and author of From
Fatigued to Fantastic, tells Good Housekeeping. “It predominantly
affects the upper airway.”
According to the CDC, these are potential COVID-19 symptoms to watch out
for:
·Fever
·Fatigue
·Body chills
·Chronic cough
·Headache
·Sore throat
·Nasal congestion or runny nose
·Nausea and vomiting
·Diarrhea
·Shortness of breath, or difficulty breathing
·New loss of taste or smell
“So far, the evidence suggests that Eris is similar in severity to other
variants,” Teitelbaum explains. Though there has been an increase in
cases and hospitalizations, there’s no way of knowing whether it’s due
to disease severity or transmissibility, says a recent JAMA report. And
it’s definitely still an unknown how likely EG.5 is to result in long
covid cases. Still, like with previous COVID-19 subvariants, there are
certain populations who should continue to be especially vigilant, such
as individuals age 65 and older and people with underlying medical
conditions that make them susceptible.
How contagious is EG.5?
It’s a little too soon to know
for sure, but early reports suggest that it may be more transmissible
than previous subvariants, according to Yale Medicine experts. What’s a
bit more worrisome is that EG.5 has a spike protein mutation that
allowed it to evade neutralizing antibodies in a lab setting, says the
JAMA report. Translation: If you get sick with Eris, you may not develop
immunity that would prevent you from getting it again. This gives the
new strain an edge over other recent former variations of the virus,
making it potentially “easier to catch and transmit,” says Teitelbaum.
Is there a vaccine for EG.5?
There’s not an Eris-specific
vaccine, but experts are optimistic that the forthcoming COVID-19
booster to target XBB.1.5 (coming this Fall) will offer some level of
protection against EG.5 since the two subvariants are similar in
structure. So once the official booster rollout begins, consider rolling
up your sleeves and getting a fresh jab to better protect yourself from
EG.5.
Children who received the original #COVID19 vaccine and the updated vaccine were protected against COVID-19–associated ER and urgent care visits. For the best protection, CDC recommends COVID-19 vaccines for everyone 6 months and older. https://t.co/zlDTzGhAaz pic.twitter.com/a6CNux2yrq
— MMWR (@CDCMMWR) August 18, 2023
How to protect yourself from EG.5
The COVID-19 prevention tactics
that we all mastered back in 2020 are still the best ways to protect
yourself and others from EG.5:
Be vigilant about handwashing
Consider masking up when in a crowded indoor public space
Test yourself for COVID-19 if you’re exhibiting symptoms (you can still
buy at-home tests or get tested at your local urgent care or pharmacy)
Stay away from others if you have symptoms that you think could be EG.5
It’s also smart to keep up with the lifestyle habits that support your
immune system and overall health, such as eating a well-balanced diet
that includes immunity foods, getting regular exercise, staying properly
hydrated, and prioritizing sleep.
