Can COVID-19 JN.1 sub-variant cause pneumonia? Do we need to mask up at New Year parties?

Not in most cases, says Dr GC Khilnani, chairman of PSRI Institute of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, New Delhi. “JN.1 is a descendant of the Omicron variant. And the Omicron variant is known to cause upper respiratory symptoms such as cough and sore throat in most cases. This is what has been seen from other places that are witnessing a surge due to JN.1 as well.” However, there could be severe manifestations in the old and those living with several co-morbidities.

Dr Suranjit Chatterjee, senior consultant of internal medicine at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, New Delhi, says: “COVID-19 is a respiratory disease after all and can always lead to pneumonia. Lung complications and severe manifestations are more likely in people who have conditions like diabetes, heart diseases, kidney disease, cancers, and are on immune-suppression medicines after transplants.”

Then, why have the deaths due to COVID-19 gone up?

Over the last three to four weeks, India has started reporting more Covid-19 deaths again. There were at least 18 deaths recorded in the last one week, according to data from the health ministry. Dr Khilnani, however, says these deaths have mostly been in patients admitted to hospitals for other conditions but were found to be positive for COVID-19.

“Most of the deaths that are now being recorded are with COVID-19 and not due to COVID-19,” he said. The virus invades the lungs and multiplies. However, there are almost no physical signs of lung tissue becoming filled with fluid. This pneumonia can become serious in people who have pre-existing heart or lung disease and pregnant women. Viral pneumonias may be complicated by a secondary invasion of bacteria, with all the typical symptoms of bacterial pneumonia.

Should people cancel their New Year plans?

Dr Khilnani says while cases are going up, there is no need for alarm. “We cannot have everyone cancel their New Year plans and stay home. We cannot even ask the youngsters to don masks at parties, it is just not doable,” he says. However, he recommends that those with a higher risk of severe disease should take precautions such as avoiding crowded places and masking up if they have to venture outdoors.

Is there a need for co-morbid people to take booster doses?

Dr Chatterjee says, “We are not recommending a booster dose to anyone at the moment because we do not know whether the existing vaccines will be effective against the newer variants causing the infection right now.” Almost all the vaccines available in India have been developed based on the ancestral variant.