Major sign of new Covid strain as warning issued over 'tripledemic'

As autumn is in full swing, health experts have issued a warning due to the potential threat of a 'tripledemic' in Ireland, with cases of Covid, flu and RSV predicted to increase in the upcoming months. In the past week, there were 541 new Covid cases reported across the country, a significant rise from the 480 reported the previous week. Health officials attribute this surge largely to the XFG variant, also known as Stratus, which now makes up 73% of all known infections in Ireland. The latest data from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) reveals that Dublin had the highest number of new cases last week with 127, followed by Limerick with 77 and Cork with 53. On the other end of the spectrum, Carlow reported no new infections, while Laois had 2 and Longford had 3. The World Health Organization has categorised Stratus as a "variant under monitoring", noting that although it doesn't seem to cause more severe illness, it spreads faster than previous strains - a trend mirrored in Ireland's most recent Covid data. Flu and RSV cases remain relatively low, with 24 flu infections reported last week - a decrease from 60 four weeks ago - and just 9 RSV cases, down from 17 the previous week, reports the Irish Mirror. As the three viruses continue to spread, health experts are urging people to get vaccinated. Caoimhe McAuley, Director of Pharmacy and Superintendent Pharmacist at Boots, said: "The colder months bring a higher risk of viral illness, and vaccines provide protection to help you and those around you, stay well. Flu strains can change from year to year, which means last year's vaccination may not protect you from this season's flu strains. At Boots, we're offering a comprehensive range of winter vaccination services as well as expert advice from our pharmacists to ensure our customers are well prepared for the season ahead." Currently, the National Immunisation Advisory Committee in Ireland recommends five vaccines for older adults. Covid, flu, and pneumococcal are fully funded, but shingles and RSV are not. Covid symptoms often mimic those of the flu or a cold, including fever, cough and fatigue, making it difficult to identify. However, doctors say the most common early sign of the Stratus variant is a hoarse or raspy voice - a symptom that could help distinguish it from seasonal flu. Other early signs include sore throats, blocked noses, digestive issues and exhaustion. Dr Nye told Mirror UK: "In most ways, it's almost identical. However, people with this version tend to get very sore throats and a hoarse voice, compared with the other more general symptoms like cough, temperature and aches." Meanwhile, Dr Kader, who shares health advice on TikTok as @ask. doctor.k, added that the new variant often starts with ear, nose and throat symptoms before affecting the digestive system. He said: "Here's what you need to know about the new Covid variant. It's called Stratus or XFG, and actually the symptoms are a little bit different when compared to the previous variants. "The new variant seems to be starting with ear, nose and throat symptoms, so most people are complaining about a really hoarse voice or a super sore throat. It also seems to present with more GI symptoms. A lot of people are complaining about nausea, vomiting, bloating [and] acid reflux." Whilst infections are often milder, Dr Kader cautioned that this variant is extremely transmissible, stating: "You may have noticed that everyone is getting sick this week, and we've seen a huge rise in Covid cases in hospital patients, and part of the reason why infections are spreading fast is because the weather is changing, it's getting a bit colder, people are staying indoors more and just passing the bugs to each other." Ireland's official Covid guidance remains unchanged. The HSE said: "If you have any symptoms of Covid and feel unwell, you should stay at home until 48 hours after your symptoms are mostly or fully gone, avoid contact with other people, especially people at higher risk from Covid. You do not need a Covid test unless a GP or health professional tells you to." The HSE is reminding the public to be vigilant for all 18 recognised Covid symptoms, which include: fever (high temperature - 38C or above) - including having chills dry cough fatigue (tiredness) loss or change to your sense of smell or taste - this could mean they're completely gone or just different to normal nasal congestion (runny or blocked nose) conjunctivitis (also known as red eye or pink eye) sore throat headache muscle or joint pain (aches and pains) different types of skin rash nausea or vomiting diarrhoea chills dizziness shortness of breath or breathing difficulties loss of appetite confusion pain or pressure in the chest Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. 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