2 new COVID variants called ‘FLiRT’ are spreading in the U.S. What are the symptoms?

The FLiRT Variants of COVID-19

• The FLiRT variants are a group of new COVID-19 variants that have emerged in the United States.
• They are part of the Omicron family and include variants like KP.2.

What Are the FLiRT Variants?

• The FLiRT variants have mutations that set them apart from previous variants.
• KP.2, in particular, has become the dominant variant in the U.S., accounting for a significant percentage of new cases.

Here's what we know about the KP.2 FLiRT variant that is destined to become the new dominant variant here
Thanks to @SystemsVirology https://t.co/RvQjX2dOCA
>3-fold resistance to current booster (XBB.1.5) https://t.co/n1oULGNZYX pic.twitter.com/UEnte4LZAI

— Eric Topol (@EricTopol) April 27, 2024

Transmissibility

• There are concerns that the FLiRT variants, especially KP.2, may be more transmissible than previous variants.
• Early data suggests that KP.2 is spreading rapidly.

Common Symptoms

• Symptoms of the FLiRT variants are similar to previous variants.
• They include sore throat, cough, fatigue, congestion, runny nose, headache, muscle aches, fever or chills, new loss of sense of taste or smell, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, nausea or vomiting, and diarrhea.

The next set of variants: FLiRT. These variants are distant Omicron relatives that spun out from JN.1, the variant behind the surge in cases this past winter. They’ve been dubbed “FLiRT” variants based on the technical names for their mutations.https://t.co/CqcdO9I47N pic.twitter.com/B7xe90LG3U

— Dr. Ali Khan (@DrAliSKhan) May 2, 2024

Severity

• The severity of the FLiRT variants' impact is still being studied.

Performance of Vaccines

• Current vaccines appear to provide some level of protection against the FLiRT variants.
• There are concerns that the variants may be better at evading immunity from vaccines compared to previous variants.
• Studies suggest that while vaccines may still prevent severe disease and hospitalization, their effectiveness against infection may be reduced.

Potential Surge

• It's uncertain whether the FLiRT variants will cause another surge in cases.
• Current data indicates that COVID-19 levels are relatively low, and hospitalizations and deaths are declining.
• It's important to continue monitoring the situation and following public health guidelines.

How to Stay Safe

• Stay up to date with vaccines.
• Test for COVID-19 if you have symptoms or exposure.
• Stay home when sick.
• Practice good hand hygiene.
• Improve ventilation.
• Wear masks in crowded indoor spaces.
• Practice social distancing.

Summary

• Continued vigilance and adherence to public health measures can help mitigate the impact of the FLiRT variants.
• Staying informed and following guidelines can protect ourselves and our communities from COVID-19.