The most recent development in the COVID-19 pandemic is the appearance of new mutant strains of the virus. The new strains originate from mutations of the genetic makeup of the original strain as a result of rapid multiplication. Countless strains mutate every day. However, only some of them have been important enough to be identified as more contagious, more deadly, and resistant to the effect of vaccines compared to the original COVID-19 virus.
These new variants of the COVID-19 are likely to be more contagious and deadly.
Currently, there is no proper classification of the different coronavirus variants. But, the delta variant of COVID-19 has gained a lot of attention recently. A comprehensive description of what is known about the delta variant of coronavirus is in the following section.
What Is The Delta Variant? How Is It Different From Other Variants?
The delta variant is also known as B.1.617.2. According to the CDC, the Delta variant is more contagious and differs structurally from the previous variants. It has mutated spike proteins. These mutated spike proteins are the cause of its high infectivity.
Data shows that the delta variant is 50 percent more contagious as compared to the alpha variant. The Alpha Variant is 50 percent more contagious than the original strain of COVID-19. Average statistics show that each patient of the COVID-19 who gets delta variant infects 3-4 more persons around him.
Origin of the Delta Variant
The first patient of the delta variant was identified in India in December 2020. This Delta Variant has caused significant damage to India since its discovery.
According to track records of the CDC, the Delta Variant has spread to over a hundred countries as of July 2021. Delta variant is the major variant found in patients of COVID at this time. It has been well-rooted in the USA, UK, Germany, and many other countries. Among the Asian countries, after India, the delta virus is rapidly spreading in Indonesia, Bangladesh, Thailand, and Mongolia. Some cases of the delta virus have also been reported in other South Asian countries such as Pakistan, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.
Symptoms Of The Delta COVID-19 Infection
The clinical symptoms of the Delta Variant are similar to the original strain except for a few minor differences.
The symptoms of the Delta Variant are more like a bad cold. Presentation with cough and loss of smell and taste is less than the previous variants of COVID0-19. The patients with Delta Variant usually present with a runny nose, headache, nausea, or vomiting. In some cases, there is associated diarrhea along with other symptoms. A general sense of fatigue and body pain also prevails
It is easy to mistake the Delta Variant infection to a common cold. This could lead to a more rapid spread. There have been some asymptomatic cases of Delta Variant as well.
Who Is At More Risk Of The Delta Variant Infection?
Although the Delta Variant of coronavirus can affect anyone, a few are considered to be at a higher risk.
- Those With A Weakened Immune System
or at an Immunocompromised state
Those with a weaker immune system are more likely to get infected with the delta variant like the previous variants. Common causes of immunocompromise include old age and chronic diseases such as diabetes.
2. The Unvaccinated Population
Those not vaccinated against COVID-19 are also at higher risk of infection and developing severe disease with the Delta Variant. In most parts of the world, the younger population has not been vaccinated. Hence, this Delta Virus might be more deadly for children. According to a study published by the Imperial College London, under 50 and unvaccinated have a 2.5 times higher risk of developing the virus.
The Benefit Of Vaccination Against Delta Variant
In some cases, the Delta Variant has caused disease in vaccinated people, but such cases seem rare. Those who are vaccinated have significant protection against Delta Variant.
Effectiveness of the Pfizer and Moderna Vaccine
According to the data so far, there is an 86 percent reduction in the occurrence of delta variant disease in people who have taken two doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine. There is a 96 percent reduction in hospitalization with delta variant among doubly vaccinated people with Pfizer or Moderna vaccine.
AstraZeneca and other Vaccines
The AstraZeneca vaccine also reduces the delta virus occurrence by 66 percent. It minimizes the hospitalization with delta variant by 93 percent. The other vaccines of coronavirus also have almost the same protection against the delta variant.
Some vaccine developers and researchers are looking for booster shots among vaccinated people to lower the spread of delta variants further.
The Ultimate Prevention of Delta Variant
The prevention code for the delta variant is the same as that for the previous variants. If you get a chance of vaccination, get vaccinated as early as possible. Do not go out without a mask and a reason. Maintain a distance from the other at public places.
Because of the similarity of symptoms to the common cold, the Delta Variant infection isn’t very obvious to the layman’s eye. Hence, if you develop symptoms of a common cold, go get tested. If you ignore these symptoms, you might put people around you in danger.
Diagnosis of Delta Variant
The diagnosis of the delta variant is a combined result of presenting complaints and lab reports. If a patient presents with common cold symptoms, it is safe to suspect a Delta Variant infection. You can run PCR and antigen tests to make the final diagnosis of delta variant.
Management and Treatment of Delta Variant
Like all the other variants of COVID, there is no compact treatment strategy to treat the Delta Variant. However, symptomatic treatment is given to the patient according to the severity of symptoms.
Symptomatic Treatment
Patients are asked to take bed rest and drink more water. Pain killers are prescribed for overcoming fatigue, body pain, and headache. Immune therapies such as convalescent plasma, immunoglobulins, and interferons are also beneficial in treating delta variants. Available antiviral drugs and antibiotics are also prescribed. Oxygen and ventilator use are the tertiary options if the lung consolidation proceeds beyond a certain limit.
The Takeaway Message
The delta variant of coronavirus is a mutated form of the original strain. It is more contagious and deadly because of mutated spike proteins. The cases of delta variants are continuously increasing at the present moment. The symptoms of the delta variant are similar to the previous variants with minor differences. Unvaccinated people are at more risk of getting infected. To prevent the spread of delta variants, everyone should get vaccinated and follow the SOPS. There is no compact treatment plan for the Delta variant. However, symptomatic treatment is given to the patients according to the severity of symptoms.
References
1: https://www.webmd.com/lung/news/20210712/what-to-know-about-covid-delta-variant
2:https://www.emedicinehealth.com/what_are_the_symptoms_of_covid19_delta_variant/article_em.htm
3: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-53420537
5: https://www.webmd.com/lung/news/20210707/delta-dominant-us-coronavirus-variant
Written by : Dr. Talat Mehmood
Edited by: Dr. Akeel Salahudeen
