This content material initially appeared on diaTribe. Republished with permission.
By April Hopcroft
After a summer time reprieve, COVID-19 instances are on the rise once more. Right here’s what it is advisable know heading into the autumn, together with a have a look at the most recent variants and upcoming boosters.
With college again in session and the fall flu season quick approaching, it’s extra essential than ever to be ready for a brand new wave of COVID-19 infections.
Since folks with diabetes are at higher threat of extreme issues from COVID-19, it’s additional essential to remain on high of the most recent analysis, know your threat, and what to do about it.
Rising Omicron variants
It looks like each month there’s a brand new COVID-19 variant, which may make issues slightly arduous to maintain up with. Earlier this yr, new variants of Omnicron dubbed FLiRT strains have been recognized, accounting for almost all of COVID-19 infections this summer time within the U.S.
KP.2, KP.2.3, KP.3, and KP.3.1.1 are all varieties of FLiRT variants circulating proper now. KP.3.1.1 seemed to be probably the most dominant, accounting for a big share of latest COVID-19 instances within the U.S. One other pressure that additionally emerged this summer time is LB.1, which isn’t a FLiRT variant however related.
The most recent variant to emerge is the XEC COVID-19 variant. It has accounted for about 6% of latest instances up to now two weeks, in line with the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention. The variant, which can be a part of the omicron household, is a recombinant of the strains KP.3.3 and KS.1.1, and is similar to KP.2, the extremely transmissible pressure focused by the newer vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna.
Final summer time, probably the most dominant COVID-19 strains have been Eris (EG.5) and Pirola (BA.2.86). Whereas all these new strains sound alarming, it’s pure for viruses to mutate, and COVID-19 is not any completely different.
The excellent news is that every one these mutations don’t essentially trigger extra extreme infections, however sure strains may transmit sooner or be higher at dodging the physique’s immune response after an infection. Researchers are working arduous to grasp what this implies for prevention, vaccination, and therapy.
The CDC and WHO are monitoring variants carefully; try the CDC’s COVID Knowledge Tracker to maintain up with the most recent variants.
As authorities brace for an additional potential seasonal COVID-19 surge, the federal authorities has reinstated its COVID-19 program that permits for all U.S. households to request 4 free at-home fast checks by mail.
What does the most recent analysis say about COVID-19 and diabetes?
Because the early days of the pandemic, diabetes, weight problems, and different persistent well being circumstances have been linked to extra extreme COVID-19 infections. Age can be an essential threat issue to think about.
“COVID-19 can nonetheless be critical, significantly in seniors,” stated Dr. Anne Peters, professor of medication on the Keck College of Drugs of USC and director of the USC Medical Diabetes Packages.
“My private sense of the most important threat components (so as of threat) are age, immunosuppression, weight problems, and poorly managed diabetes,” stated Peters. “After which, someplace on the record, are different comorbidities like kidney failure and coronary heart illness. If somebody falls into the next threat class I nonetheless say watch out, although I would like folks to reside their lives.”
A 2023 large-scale evaluation discovered that sure components have been linked to demise from COVID-19 amongst folks with diabetes. These embody increased blood glucose at hospital admission, long-term insulin use, and different circumstances like coronary heart and kidney illness. Further analysis demonstrates that prime blood sugar (hyperglycemia) at hospital admission is linked to worse COVID-19 outcomes.
On a extra optimistic be aware, a 2021 examine advised that the use of diabetes expertise was related to a diminished threat of hostile outcomes amongst folks with sort 1 diabetes who’ve COVID-19. As well as, folks taking diabetes and weight reduction drugs like metformin and semaglutide (Ozempic and Wegovy) could have much less threat of extreme issues and demise from COVID-19.
When do you have to get your subsequent booster?
General, it’s a good suggestion to take precautions – like getting a booster – particularly should you or your family members are at increased threat of issues from COVID-19.
The CDC recommends that everybody aged 6 months and older obtain an up to date COVID-19 vaccine to guard in opposition to the consequences of the virus. Up to date boosters will likely be out there from Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech.
You may get a booster anytime, however some consultants recommend that individuals wait till later within the fall to maximise its protecting results. Ready to obtain the booster will be sure that it targets the variants at present affecting the inhabitants. This fashion, the vaccine can have a greater likelihood of stopping an infection in addition to extreme sickness.
When you obtain your booster later within the fall, it must also guarantee that you’re protected when infections are predicted to spike throughout December and January (booster pictures sometimes are the simplest within the first three months). This coincides with the vacation journey season, so you possibly can go to family members safely understanding that you simply’re protected.
What different precautions do you have to take?
Folks at excessive threat of extreme sickness from COVID-19 could need to take further steps to guard themselves in opposition to an infection. When you’re frightened about COVID-19, consultants suggest the following precautions:
- Put on a high-quality, well-fitting masks in crowded indoor areas together with public transportation, airports, and live shows
- Keep away from massive crowds
- Select outside eating and actions over indoor areas
- Make certain rooms in your own home, workspace, or college have good airflow
- Take a fast check should you expertise any signs and earlier than visiting associates or household who’re at excessive threat of creating issues
Throughout this time, it’s additionally essential to proceed caring for your self and your diabetes.
“COVID-19 made us all notice how susceptible we could be,” stated Peters. “It’s why all the great wholesome behaviors we promote – nutritious diet, train, and treating well being circumstances like diabetes and hypertension – matter a lot. There’s a lot we are able to do to be wholesome, even with COVID-19.”
