Dr. Henry Redel, Chief of Infectious Diseases at Saint Peter’s University Hospital, contributed expert insights to HuffPost concerning COVID-19 variant XBB, a highly transmissible strain currently accounting for a significant share of infections in the U.S.
Dr. Redel observed a notable shift in patient symptoms with XBB, reporting milder respiratory distress compared to earlier variants. Patients are presenting more frequently with congestion, body aches, sore throats and fevers, rather than severe shortness of breath or loss of taste and smell.
The article underscores Dr. Redel’s role in contextualizing how immunity from vaccinations and past infections may influence symptomatology, as well as the importance of updated vaccinations in mitigating severe outcomes. His perspective highlights ongoing efforts to understand this variant while addressing the broader implications for public health and treatment approaches.