“It is anticipated that this variant may cause an increase in Sars-Cov-2 [coronavirus] cases amid a surge of infections of other viral and bacterial infections, especially in countries entering the winter season,” the WHO’s risk assessment read. At the moment JN.1 is not considered any more of a concern than any other variant, and its symptoms are much the same as those of Omicron.
Winter is, of course, when almost everybody comes down with something. Respiratory viruses such as flu, respiratory syncytial virus and pneumonia are on the rise in the Northern Hemisphere, while the so-called “100-day cough”, or whooping cough, has also been on the rise in the UK this year.
And the pre-Christmas period, when socialising is at a maximum, the mistletoe’s up and our guards are down, provides the perfect time for an airborne virus to thrive.
Yet Covid remains the wiliest of illnesses, its symptoms seemingly acting differently every time it re-emerges, frequently foxing individuals into believing they have a milder illness before developing further, or into thinking they are suffering from influenza.
Top epidemiologists have even remarked recently that it is becoming “increasingly difficult to distinguish the symptoms of flu and Covid” as we approach a fourth Covid Christmas. “Problems with sense of smell are more common in covid and muscle aches and pains are more common in flu but the difference is not sufficient to be diagnostic,” Prof Paul Hunter of the University of East Anglia said.
“It started as a cold, or so I thought…” says one recent Covid sufferer, Fiona Cowood. “Then I got a fever and the symptoms just kept on coming. My skin hurt and then when I walked, my teeth hurt – it was so bizarre. The pain was awful. I have had Covid before, but this was definitely the worst. It went on for five days. But once the Covid had gone I got a sinus infection, terrible headaches and eye socket pain.”
Having Covid at Christmas always feels like a kick in the teeth, but it now seems to be giving that sensation quite literally. While not an official symptom, there are common reports of recent infections involving pain in the jaw or teeth. One December case in London commented that “most oddly, my teeth were so sensitive it felt almost like they were bruised.”
The range of symptoms remains vast. Things tend to start with a scratchy throat, which is ignorable for a day or two, but according to our case study, “like the weather closing in”, her whole head was then consumed by pain.
“I felt heavy-limbed and my skin felt painfully sensitive to the touch. My eyeballs ached […] my scalp felt acutely tender and painful, and I felt very removed and totally spacey,” she says.
“Mainly I just simply had to be horizontal with my eyes closed, yearning for a cool patch of pillow because I was also really really hot. That bit lasted a good 48 hours. Then I was just back in heavy cold land.” Some eight days on, and after much more “unstoppable sneezing” compared to previous bouts, “I’m more or less fine.”
In a way, she is one of the lucky ones, having managed to just about kick the thing with a day or two to spare before Christmas. Others won’t be so fortunate, and plain old luck remains a key factor in managing to avoid it in a busy winter.
“At this time of year, the cold weather, shorter days and increased socialising mean that the potential for transmission of respiratory viruses like Covid-19 is particularly high,” Professor Steven Riley, UKHSA director-general for data and surveillance, said this week.
“This, as well as the possible impact of new variants, means it’s not unexpected to see cases increasing. If you are showing symptoms of Covid-19 or other respiratory illnesses, you should try to limit your contact with other people as much as possible, especially those who are older or more vulnerable.”
That last piece of advice is not easy at Christmas – but we’ve heard this tune many times before, so the seasonal advice is familiar: wash your hands, maintain good ventilation, isolate yourself from people if you have symptoms, consider wearing a mask in crowded places. The reassurance these days comes from the fact the majority of the population has some immunity, thanks to vaccination, infection, or both, meaning the risk of severe disease is far lower.
Still, for some poor souls, it will be a thoroughly bleak midwinter, with few tidings of comfort and joy aside from a mug of Lemsip and the duvet. Covid is back to ruin festivities, like the Grinch it’s become.
Some modern traditions are more fun than others. But that’s Christmas.
Sarah Carter is a health and wellness expert residing in the UK. With a background in healthcare, she offers evidence-based advice on fitness, nutrition, and mental well-being, promoting healthier living for readers.
