The new variant of Corona, JN.1, has been seen growing rapidly across the world for the last one and a half months. Studies conducted so far have found that even though its infectivity rate is higher than other variants of Omicron, the risk of developing serious diseases due to it is seen to be less. Rapidly increasing cases of infection due to this variant have been reported in countries like America and Singapore, where an increase has also been recorded in the number of patients admitted to hospitals.
Not only this, in recent reports, experts have expressed concern that due to this variant of Corona, there may be another surge in infections in China in January. For example, the JN.1 variant of Corona is seen as increasing health risks globally.
If we look at its risks in India, it is clear that there has been a decline in daily infection cases here in the last two to three days. While the infection was being confirmed in 500-600 people every day for about 20 days, it has now come down to an average of 300 every day.
Corona infection and testing
With the increase of this new variant of Corona, Covid testing has also been increased in the country for the last month. Health experts say that everyone doesn't need to get tested for COVID-19, these days cases of cold and flu are also increasing due to cold, this doesn't need to be due to COVID-19 only. Many state governments have also issued guidelines regarding Covid testing. Let us know what is the incubation period of Covid-19 and when should you go for testing.
First, know what is the incubation period.
The incubation period is the time it takes for symptoms to develop after exposure to the virus. The incubation period may vary for each infection. Talking to Amar Ujala, intensive care doctor Vineet Srivastava, who treats Covid patients, says that the incubation period of coronavirus can be 4-10 days. Like the earlier Corona variants, infection with this variant may also take so long for symptoms to appear. Usually, symptoms of infection become more obvious in 6-8 days.
When should the test be done?
If you are also showing symptoms of corona, then waiting for the incubation period increases the chances of getting a correct test report. If you have recently come in contact with an infected person and symptoms are visible, then you should go for testing only after 4-6 days. Getting tested as soon as symptoms appear increases the risk of the report not being clear. Apart from this, generally, the problem of flu or cold gets cured in 4-5 days. In such a situation, if your symptoms were not due to COVID-19, then they resolve automatically within 5 days and you do not even need a test.
Know about these symptoms also
Health experts say that even in case of infection with this new variant of Corona, upper respiratory symptoms are being seen more in people, as was the case due to the earlier variants. In case of infection due to JN.1, mild-level symptoms are being seen. Most people suffer from cough-cold, headache-body ache, and pain-sore throat, and some may have breathing problems. Serious symptoms of Corona or the possibility of hospitalization are seen more in those people who are already suffering from comorbidities.
(PC: Freepik)
