<div style="text-align: justify; "><b style="font-size: 1rem;">Covid variant XBB.1.16, also known as Arcturus, has been dubbed as the 'variant under monitoring' by WHO (World Health Organisation) after it was found to be spreading fast in many parts of the world. According to recent WHO data, a total of 712 XBB.1.16 sequences were found in 21 countries. XBB 1.16 is a subvariant of the Omicron variant, which emerged in late 2021 and has since then replaced delta as the dominant variant around the world.&nbsp;</b><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Carrying additional spike mutations, Arcturus variant is considered more transmissible and immune-evasive than its predecessors and may escape immunity acquired by previous infections or vaccines. While the symptoms of XBB.1.16 are not very different from the previous strains and the disease caused by it largely remains mild, in case of vulnerable population like children and elderly, it can cause slightly different symptoms.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">"XBB.1.16 variant, a sub-lineage of Omicron variant, is believed to be the cause of recent concerning surge in number of Covid cases. According to available reports based on genome sequencing, XBB 1.16 has few additional spike mutations. As per the available data, it seems to more transmissible and immune evasive, i.e. causing infections in patients with pre-existing natural or vaccine induced immunity," says Dr Rohit Kumar Garg, Consultant, Department of Infectious Diseases, Amrita Hospital, Faridabad.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Common symptoms of XBB.1.16 or Arcturus in adults</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Experts say the loss of taste and smell seen in the days of spread of Delta variant is uncommon now while symptoms like fever, sore throat, running nose, body ache, diarrhoea, fatigue are more common in Covid patients.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">"The symptoms of XBB 1.16 are not much different from previous variants. Some of the common symptoms in adults include fever, sore throat, running nose, cough, body ache, myalgia, fatigue, diarrhoea. Symptoms due to shortness of breath, low oxygen saturation, respiratory distress can be seen in patients who develop severe illness," says Dr Garg.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">"Infected adults may experience symptoms like fever, cough, cold, nasal discharge/running nose, blocked nose, sneezing, soreness and irritation in throat, scratchy throat, change of voice/hoarse voice, shortness of breath, headache, body aches, fatigue, nausea, diarrhoea, chest pain. Loss of taste and smell as seen with Delta variant of Covid-19 is not much seen now," says Dr Gurmeet Singh Chabbra, Director- Pulmonology, Marengo Asia Hospitals, Faridabad.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Symptoms of XBB.1.16 or Arcturus in children</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Children in addition to sore throat, runny nose, blocked nose may have conjunctivitis or pink eye in this current surge of Covid infections.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">"XBB.1.16 variant symptoms reported in children are high fever, cough, itchy conjunctivitis — or pinkeye — without pus, but with 'sticky eyes'. Scratchy throat also leading to difficulty in swallowing, running nose, blocked nose seems to be more common symptoms in current Covid variant," says Dr Chabbra.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">"Infected adults may experience symptoms like fever, cough, cold, nasal discharge/running nose, blocked nose, sneezing, soreness and irritation in throat, scratchy throat, change of voice/hoarse voice, shortness of breath, headache, body aches, fatigue, nausea, diarrhoea, chest pain. Loss of taste and smell as seen with Delta variant of Covid-19 is not much seen now," says Dr Gurmeet Singh Chabbra, Director- Pulmonology, Marengo Asia Hospitals, Faridabad.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Symptoms of XBB.1.16 or Arcturus in children Children in addition to sore throat, runny nose, blocked nose may have conjunctivitis or pink eye in this current surge of Covid infections.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">"XBB.1.16 variant symptoms reported in children are high fever, cough, itchy conjunctivitis — or pinkeye — without pus, but with 'sticky eyes'. Scratchy throat also leading to difficulty in swallowing, running nose, blocked nose seems to be more common symptoms in current Covid variant," says Dr Chabbra. HT</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">bnbd24/'kh</div>