The delta variant has slightly different symptoms than original virus. Here’s what you need to know.
My first real tell-tale sign that I had Covid-19 last November was when I lost my sense of smell and taste, but those symptoms might not be present for those dealing with the new delta variant.
The new strain of Covid has made its way into Erath County and patients who have contracted it are experiencing symptoms that are different from the original virus.
“The delta variant seems to have less association with loss of smell and taste,” Stephenville’s health authority Dr. Kelly Doggett told Beneath the Surface News.
“Dr. Marilyn Brister, medical director for THR Stephenville, said in a meeting I participated in on Tuesday that many are presenting to the Emergency Department seeking relief from intractable nausea and vomiting. She also said it is extremely difficult to transfer any type of critically ill patients, not just those with Covid, needing a higher level of care out to our upstream accepting hospitals because they are full.”
Headache, sore throat, runny nose and fever are some of the other main complaints from patients, Doggett said.
Medical experts also say the delta variant is more contagious than previous strains.
Vaccinated individuals, even if they are asymptomatic, with breakthrough infections carry the same viral load in their nasal passages as the unvaccinated, making it very easy to spread.
“When Covid first started spreading rapidly in the first wave, we were all hearing that we need to take measures to mitigate the spread of disease to ‘flatten the curve’ so that our hospitals would not be overwhelmed,” Doggett said. “Nobody is saying that anymore. I can’t remember the last time I heard that phrase. Our hospital is at capacity now and we are just getting started with this wave.
“It’s not too late to get vaccinated for those still considering it. It’s free and widely available locally.”
