COVID Variants: KP2, JN1, and KP3
KP2: A Runny Nose and Sore Throat Strain
The now-dominant COVID-19 variant, KP2, is a FLiRT strain that can cause a runny nose, sore throat, and a range of other symptoms. It is similar to the original strain of the virus, but it is more transmissible and can cause more severe illness in some people.
JN1: A Winter Spike
One of the first FLiRT variants was JN1, which was identified in September 2023 and spread through the country during the winter months. It led to a spike in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations.
KP3: A Growing Concern
Another variant, KP3, is now making up 25% of COVID-19 cases. It is similar to the JN1 variant, but it may be more transmissible. Health officials are monitoring KP3 closely to see if it will become the dominant strain.
FLiRT Variants: A New Group
In recent months, we have seen a new group of variants of Covid emerge collectively nicknamed as FLiRT. These variants are all characterized by multiple mutations in the spike protein, which is how the virus interacts with cells to gain access to them.
Symptoms
The version of the Covid-19 virus behind the latest spike in infections shares many of the same symptoms as earlier variants of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19. These include:
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
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