While the Covid Juno sub-variant, or JN.1, is now the majority in Europe, a novelty seems to characterize this newcomer: a rather digestive symptom this time. Update with Dr. Gérald Kierzek, medical director of TipsForWomens.
Covid-19 is still there and the last sub-variant of this virus seems to be thriving in Europe since last summer. According to the latest data from Public Health Europe, the JN.1 sub-variant, also known as “Juno”, currently represents around 70% of virus contaminations in Europe. Although it does not seem to cause more serious cases than previous variants, JN.1 is nevertheless distinguished by a new frequent symptom.
Diarrhea joins the list of Covid symptoms
Thus JN.1 brings together certain symptoms in common with other winter viruses, making it sometimes difficult to distinguish from the flu or the common cold.
- Fatigue;
- Fever ;
- Headaches ;
- Stuffy nose ;
- Cough.
- Sometimes accompanied by difficulty breathing and loss of taste and smell.
But according to the British Health Agency, the NHS, it also causes fairly frequent diarrhea. Which would be a significant new symptom of this variant. A symptom which does not make it a more dangerous virus to date (although more unpleasant). However, JN.1 remains under the surveillance of scientists due to its numerous mutations which can enhance its transmissibility and aggressiveness.
The affected intestinal system, a classic in viruses
This new data in the symptoms of covid is however not exceptional, according to Dr Gérald Kierzek, medical director of TipsForWomens.
“Covid is a virus, it is a virus that nestles everywhere in the body. It is not surprising that it is also in the intestinal mucosa and causes diarrhea.” he explains. We have already talked about it several times in TipsForWomens.
This does not mean that you will necessarily be affected by diarrhea in the event of contamination, but that it remains within the realm of possibilities. “Depending on the variants and the patients, the virus will express itself in different ways. But it is neither more dangerous nor more problematic.” he reassures.