Question: I read that the UK variant could become the dominant strain in the US in March. Are the symptoms from the UK variant the same as those of the original virus?
Answer: Scientists in the UK have been examining whether symptoms associated with the UK variant (B.1.1.7) differ from those associated with the original virus. I’m aware of two different surveys that are examining this issue– 1) the UK Office of National Statistics COVID-19 Infection Survey and 2) the Imperial College’s REACT survey. Preliminary analyses from both surveys indicate that people who test positive for the B.1.1.7 variant are:
- More likely to experience any symptoms;
- More likely to experience certain symptoms like cough;
- Just as likely to experience gastrointestinal symptoms; and
- Less likely to experience loss of taste or smell.
Figure 1 provides a synthesis of the recent findings from the Office of National Statistics.
Figure 1. B.1.1.7 Symptoms and Original Virus Symptoms (from UK Office of National Statistics COVID-19 Infection Survey)
[…] those who are infected with B.1.1.7 (UK variant) are more likely to experience any symptoms (see Q&A of 2/16), which would indicate a lower proportion of asymptomatic infection. The evidence base, however, […]