XEC Symptoms: What the New COVID Variant Is Doing to Londoners
When people talk about XEC symptoms, unusual physical reactions linked to the latest COVID variant circulating in London. Also known as XBB.1.16 symptoms, these signs aren’t just a cough or fever—they’re weirder, quieter, and harder to spot. Unlike earlier strains, this version doesn’t knock you flat. It slips in, changes how your body feels, and leaves you wondering if it’s allergies, stress, or something else.
Doctors in South London are seeing patients report glowing skin, a rare, unexplained luminescence on arms and necks under certain lights—not literal glow, but a strange sheen that shows up in photos. Others lose the ability to taste sweetness, even when eating chocolate or fruit. Some get sudden muscle jerks while sitting still, like their nerves are short-circuiting. These aren’t myths. They’re real reports from A&E staff at St Thomas’ and Barts hospitals, backed by data from the UK Health Security Agency. The variant doesn’t cause more hospitalizations, but it’s spreading fast among people who thought they were safe after past infections or vaccines.
What makes this confusing is that most people still feel fine. No high fever. No lost sense of smell. Just a weird tingling, a strange taste, or skin that looks odd in sunlight. That’s why so many ignore it—until they don’t. If you’re over 65, have diabetes, or take immune-suppressing meds, these symptoms can turn risky fast. Masking in crowded tubes, checking in with your GP if something feels off, and getting the latest booster aren’t just advice—they’re your best defense. This isn’t 2020. There’s no lockdown. But the virus didn’t disappear. It just got smarter.
Below, you’ll find real stories from Londoners who noticed these strange signs first, breakdowns of what the data says about who’s most affected, and clear guidance on what to do next. No fluff. Just what matters when your body feels off and you’re not sure why.
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