Prof. Todor Kantardzhiev: No evidence of a new scary variant of COVID-19

We have no evidence of a new scary variant of COVID-19, Prof. Todor Kantardzhiev, advisor to Sofia Municipality on health issues said on January 2.

"When the virus becomes less deadly and does not cause severe disease, then vaccines are less effective because the virus itself becomes very variable. Whether you have immunity by vaccination or recovery from Covid-19, you can still get infected, but the infection will be mild," the specialist explained.

Prof. Kantardzhiev stressed that the respiratory syncytial virus has proven itself in the laboratory 4-5 times more than the other 16 viruses monitored by the national centre for parasitic and infectious diseases.

"Indeed, respiratory syncytial virus is dangerous in that it causes inflammation of the small airways of the lung - the so-called bronchiolitis. In older people, it causes an unpleasant cough that subsides in the second to third week," explained Prof. Todor Kantardzhiev.

He noted that every year there are such diseases and reminded about regular airing of rooms and hand washing. This is something normal and should not scare people, Prof. Kantardzhiev said. According to him, measures were taken in time and the virus was relatively easy to treat.

Those who have had a viral infection should beware because their immunity is weakened, the specialist stressed.

He confirmed that influenza type A, which he said was very sensitive to antiviral drugs, would cause ilnesses this year.

Its peak will be in the second or third third of February, said Prof. Kantardzhiev.

Source: BNR