Mumbai: A new triple mutant strain of the virus causing Covid-19 has been detected in various states including Maharashtra posing a major challenge for the medical fraternity. While the country is dealing with a deadly second wave of the pandemic, the discovery of the triple mutant strain has aggravated the issue. Experts warn the Triple mutant variant is more lethal than other strains.
The triple mutant variant has been found after double mutant strains from Britain and Brazil were detected in the country.
Scientists expressed grave concern as the mutant spreads faster and infects lungs after it enters through the nose and mouth. By the time the patient realizes he/she is infected, his/her condition would have been already worsened.
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Triple mutation reported in foreign countries in 2020
Experts said that the triple variant was found in India recently while countries including the USA, Singapore, Finland had discovered this variant in their patients in April 2020. Covid-19 mutates from time to time, affecting its shape, colour, genetic sequence. Its RNA has changed three times, becoming deadlier with every mutation. Dr Sanjay Londhe, a member of the Ayush Covid Task Force said that the third mutant is very dangerous.
Condition worsens in three days
During the first wave of Covid-19, the virus first affected mouth, nose and infection prevailed there for a while. It took three days for the virus to enter the lungs and other organs. Symptoms surfaced only after five to eight days, which led to severe implications only after some time. The second wave is rather life-threatening. If a family member is infected, soon the whole family becomes Covid positive as it spreads fast, said Dr Londhe.
After initial symptoms like exhaustion and fever, the patient's condition worsens on the third or fourth day itself and he/she needs to be admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), said Dr Londhe.
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Follow precautions
Infection of double and triple mutants exhibited the same symptoms including cold, cough, fever and exhaustion. But now, symptoms including vomiting, redness of eyes, hearing problem, whitening of the tongue were also reported.
Doctors said that there is no need to panic, rather take precautions. If symptoms appear, consult a doctor before it worsens and it would be cured if the patient gets timely treatment, experts said.
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