an expert details the symptoms and duration

It's festival szn, which can also see a spike in viral illnesses (and hangovers) – and if you're anything like us, you probably know somebody who unfortunately has come down with covid recently. There's also been a reported rise in a specific covid variant known as FLiRT, which unfortunately is not as fun or amorous as it sounds.

But what are the symptoms associated with the FLiRT variant of covid? Why is it called that and how long does it last for?

We spoke to Ian Budd, Pharmacist for Chemist4U, about everything you need to know concerning the apparent 'summer wave' of covid...

Are covid cases rising again?

Anecdotally, it definitely seems so in some parts of the UK – but it's hard to know for certain to what extent, given the data relating to cases of coronavirus isn't being recorded in the same way as it was during the peak of the pandemic. However, the British Medical Journal (BMJ) reports that the number of recorded positive tests "has risen from a recent low of 4.28% on 26 March to a high of 13.26% on 22 June", which indicates a 'summer wave' of covid may sadly be on the cards.

Experts are saying not to panic though. Thanks to a high uptake of the vaccine, the virus will be hitting people with far less severity and the death toll is not expected to rise.

One epidemiology expert from the University of East Anglia, Professor Paul Hunter, told the BBC that current rates aren't concerning him, "I think we're probably seeing about as much infection this year as we were seeing last year – a little bit less, but not hugely less."

Adding the this, pharmacist Budd breaks the numbers down a little more, saying, "While it seems like there are more covid-19 cases around at the moment, UKHSA data shows that there has only been a small rise in hospital admissions caused by covid-19. Although this won't account for all covid cases, it's encouraging to know the numbers aren't showing anything worrying, especially with the summer holidays approaching."

What is the covid FLiRT variant?

The FLiRT variant is actually the name for a collection of variants, descended from the JN.1 variant, which came via Omicron. Essentially, covid has continued to mutate and FLiRT is the latest offering – joy of joys.

"The covid-19 FLiRT variant isn't a term for a single new strain of covid-19, but rather a name for a group of new variants that have descended from the Omicron variant," echoes Budd. "These variants are accounting for many of the new cases of covid here in the UK, although the American KP3 variant is making an appearance too."

He adds that viruses mutate constantly, and covid-19 is no exception. "The name FLiRT, or FLiP, refers to a change in the position of the spike protein present in these virus strains. Another example of this was the Omicron variant, which had an extra protein spike, giving it the potential to make it more infectious than other strains of covid around at the time."

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What are the symptoms of the FLiRT variant?

While the name of the variant might have changed, the core symptoms to look out for have remained pretty much the same, says Budd.

Symptoms of the FLiRT covid variant include:

A high temperature
A new, continuous cough
Changes to your sense of smell or taste
Shortness of breath
Fatigue

"If you think you may have the virus, the NHS advises that you should still stay home where possible, especially if you have a high temperature or feel unwell," he adds, in terms of next steps. "When you’re feeling better, you can return to your usual activities as normal."

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How long does the FLiRT variant last?

Given it's a continuation of covid in its basic form, the answer to this one is tricky. Much like a cold or the flu, it's thought the 'worst' stage lasts a few days or up to a week, and you may experience tiredness and not feeling 100% for a few weeks after – but many people experience covid differently.

According to the NHS, "Most people feel better within a few weeks, but it can take longer to recover. For some people, it can be a more serious illness and their symptoms can last longer."

To aid in recovery and to prevent the spread of the virus, Budd recommends practising good hygiene (e.g. washing your hands and wearing a face mask if needed) and staying away from crowded areas.

"If you do catch the virus, get plenty of rest and fluids and take a painkiller like ibuprofen or paracetamol if you have a headache, or uncomfortable muscular aches and pains," he adds.

This article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice or diagnosis. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

Jennifer Savin is Cosmopolitan UK's multiple award-winning Features Editor, who was crowned Digital Journalist of the Year for her work tackling the issues most important to young women. She regularly covers breaking news, cultural trends, health, the royals and more, using her esteemed connections to access the best experts along the way. She's grilled everyone from high-profile politicians to A-list celebrities, and has sensitively interviewed hundreds of people about their real life stories. In addition to this, Jennifer is widely known for her own undercover investigations and campaign work, which includes successfully petitioning the government for change around topics like abortion rights and image-based sexual abuse. Jennifer is also a published author, documentary consultant (helping to create BBC’s Deepfake Porn: Could You Be Next?) and a patron for Y.E.S. (a youth services charity). Alongside Cosmopolitan, Jennifer has written for The Times, Women’s Health, ELLE and numerous other publications, appeared on podcasts, and spoken on (and hosted) panels for the Women of the World Festival, the University of Manchester and more. In her spare time, Jennifer is a big fan of lipstick, leopard print and over-ordering at dinner. Follow Jennifer on Instagram, X or LinkedIn.

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