It is now five years since the start of the Covid Pandemie, but the contagious respiratory virus is still found in the UK.
Data from NHS England shows that hospital admissions with the virus in the last week of August increased by 15% and cases confirmed in the seven days to September 10 increased by 7.6%.
If you get Covid, you might wonder why some people apparently can be flattened in good health, while others bounce back quickly.
Some studies are underway to investigate how different factors, such as the immune system, can explain differences in how people react, but other factors can also influence how sick you get.
We spoke with a Covid expert to find out more.
Do you have to worry about new variants?
New variants of Covid, such as Stratus, are constantly on the rise. But according to David Matthews, professor in virology at the University of Bristol, this is nothing to worry about.
“The virus is constantly evolving and I would expect it to continue to evolve,” he tells Yahoo UK. “There are new variants, but nothing really new is happening at the moment.”
He suggests that it seems that Covid is starting to show a “standard pattern”, just like flu or RSV, “peaks in winter and fades in the summer.”
He adds: “There are levels of how well your immune system has been trained to fight the virus. So when the virus first rose in 2020, nobody had ever seen the immune system.
“So everyone's immune system taught all over again how to beat this. While that is not the case now.”
Why does Covid influence people differently?
When it comes to why two people of general good health can have different experiences with the virus, Matthews says that there are a few things in the game. But a lot comes down to the amount of virus to which you are exposed in the beginning.
“You could catch it because someone sneezes yesterday, and a part of that landed on a keyboard, and then a day later, touches you that keyboard,” he explains. “The dose you get is a small amount … Maybe enough to start the infection.”
On the other hand, he adds: “Someone could cough when they get in a bus, and then you walk into the aftermath of that cough and you actually breathe it all … You have a much higher dose. That can mean the difference between feeling a little sniffing to feel really sick.”
He compares it with a military invasion: “If you only have one landing site, and you don't land many troops. You have a lot of work to do … If you have dozens of landing sites and thousands of troops on the first day, then your invasion will be much easier, and it will be much harder to push that back.”
From September, Covid cases in the UK will remain relatively low, although fewer people test. (Getty Images)
How can you reduce the chance of getting Covid?
There is no guarantee that you will stay free from Covid, which can cause a temperature, sore throat, runny nose and other symptoms, but doing simple things can make a difference.
Covid -Boosters
Vaccination, Matthews stresses, is still one of the best tools to stack the opportunities to your advantage.
“One of the goals of the annual vaccines is to give your immune system a quick refresher course, a quick reversal, so that it is ready if it can be for the real work,” he says.
“What the vaccine does, not only if you get it the first time, but every time you get a boost is that it stacks the opportunities enormously in your advantage.”
Although a vaccine does not guarantee that you will not get a COVID, the NHS states that it can reduce your risk of serious symptoms and help you recover faster if you catch the virus.
Who can get the booster?
The VK vaccine advisers have updated their guidance on who should receive a Covid -Jab -Jab, with the focus now on those who are most at risk of serious illness.
For the fall 2025, the booster is offered to:
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Everyone aged 75 and older
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People who live in care homes for older adults
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Everyone of six months and older with a weakened immune system
That is a change compared to last year's rollout, which also included 65 to 74-year-olds and all children and adults in clinical risk groups.
Wash your hands
When it comes to prevention, Matthews says that regularly washing your hands is one of the simplest steps you can take.
He emphasizes that you do not need antibacterial gels to be effective. “The biggest effect you get [by washing] Is just getting the virus from your hands. “
Aimi Dickinson, deputy chief inspector at boots, adds: “Washing your hands remains one of the easiest and most effective ways to protect yourself and others against diseases and viruses such as cold, flu and COVID-19. I courageously encouraged everyone to remember the good hygiene supply that we have so well-having.
“The best practice is washing your hands with hot water and soap for at least 20 seconds or, if you don't have immediate access to soap and water, to use a hand sanitor for alcohol -based hand.”
Often washing your hands is still the key to keeping Covid at bay. (Getty Images)
Who still has a higher risk?
Although the virus can touch everyone, Matthews reminds us that “everyone who is at risk due to things like the flu, RSV may be at risk due to Covid.”
According to NHS guidance, people who run the most risk are seriously ill from COVID-19, who with:
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Weakened immune system – For example from disorders such as Down's syndrome, or certain car -immune or inflammatory disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis.
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Cancer and blood disorders – Including people with blood cancer, sickle cell disease or people who undergo cancer treatment.
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Organ or tissue damage – such as chronic kidney disease, severe liver disease or those who have had an organ transplantation.
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Serious neurological or lung disease -Including motor neuron disease, multiple sclerosis, parkinson's, some types of dementia or long -term lung problems.
For the full list of conditions, the NHS advises checking the latest COVID guidelines.
For people in these groups, Matthews emphasizes, the up -to -date keeping vaccinations and practicing good hygiene is especially important.
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