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COVID-19 XEC variant 2025: Symptoms, How to treat

Eng Ayoub Ammar
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COVID-19 XEC variant 2025: Symptoms, How to treat




The most recent COVID-19 outbreak in Thailand is the COVID-19 XEC variant, a hybrid of the 2 Omicron strains, KP.3.3 and KS.1.1, which was first identified in 2024 in Germany and has since spread worldwide. The new XEC COVID variant is known for its high transmissibility, repeatedly recurring, and spreading easily. The COVID-19 XEC variant symptoms are similar to previous COVID-19 strains, including fever, cough, runny nose, and sore throat, making it difficult to differentiate the symptoms from the common cold or flu. And because most infected people are asymptomatic, making them unaware that they are infected, the COVID-19 XEC variant thereby spreads rapidly without knowing.


COVID-19 XEC variant symptoms

The new COVID-19 XEC variant symptoms are similar to those of the previous COVID-19 Omicron strain. 
The severity of symptoms ranges from mild to severe, depending on each individual, as follows:
  • Fever, chills
  • Dry cough, new continuous cough (coughing for more than an hour, or 3 times or more in 24 hrs.)
  • Sore throat, irritated throat
  • Congestion, runny nose
  • Muscle aches
  • Difficulty breathing, dyspnea
  • Fatigue, easily tired
  • Headache
  • Loss of appetite
  • Nausea, vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Loss of taste or smell

Those who have influenza-like symptoms should wear a protective face mask, isolate themselves, and take an ATK (antigen test kit) test immediately. If the result is positive, seek treatment at a hospital right away.


  • High-risk groups of COVID-19

High-risk groups of the COVID-19 include:
  • Pregnant mothers (the vaccine is safe for vaccination)
  • Young children aged 6 months to 2 years
  • Elderly aged 60 years and up
  • Obesity weighing more than 100 kilograms, or having a Body Mass Index (BMI) of more than 35 kg/m²
  • Patients with 7 common chronic diseases: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart disease, chronic kidney disease, asthma, diabetes, stroke, and cancer.

  • What to do if infected with COVID-19

  • Those who have a positive ATK test result (2 lines on control (C) and test (T)), indicating COVID-19 infection, should take the following steps:
  1. Visit the hospital to confirm the COVID-19 infection and receive a comprehensive diagnosis.
  2. Isolate yourself at home and avoid contact with others or pets.
  • Take antiviral drugs. High-risk groups infected with the COVID-19 XEC variant or other strains, such as the elderly, young children, and those with 7 common chronic diseases, should seek immediate hospitalization to receive the antiviral drug Remdesivir, Molnupiravir, or Paxlovid. Paxlovid is an oral medication approved and recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) for high-risk COVID-19 patients with mild to moderate symptoms. The drug is most effective if taken within 2-3 days of the infection. Early treatment is crucial; antivirals are most effective when started promptly after symptom onset.

  • How to prevent COVID-19

The prevention measures for COVID-19 are as follows:
  1. Get vaccinated against COVID-19
  2. Get a booster dose to keep your immunity current
  3. Wear a protective face mask at all times when in public areas
  4. Avoid gathering in large groups of people
  5. Keep a distance when in public areas
  6. Wash your hands frequently with soap or alcohol gel
  7. Stay in a well-ventilated area to reduce the density of the virus in the air
  • If you have any suspicious symptoms, isolate yourself or quarantine yourself right away

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